A different style of folk art

When I've blogged about the Chicago Christkindlmarket, I've always featured the German booths.

The market features several other ethnicities and nationalities as well. 

 One of my favorites is the Russian Lacquer Art.

Each item is very detailed and a work of art. Many with Christmas or Winter themes.

I've purchased a few pieces over the years. The first piece I purchased at the very first Christkindlmarket 30 years ago:

This little scene spoke to me the moment I saw it,

but I had to go back three times before I purchased it :)

(I ate sack lunches for over a week to justify the purchase.)

You can't tell how small this brooch is from the photo above, so maybe this will help:

Can you imagine working with such tiny brushes?

This little scene is painted on a piece of mother of pearl.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but the shell coloring and luminescence adds a lot of dimension to this pin. I still wear it frequently and  think it was worth the sack lunches all those years ago :)

Several years back, I purchased this Russian lacquer box.

The colors were so beautiful and I loved the log cabins and the wintery scene.

There is a sweet little gold leaf border on the edge.

The inside reminds me of a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes :)

This box was my most recent acquisition.

Another peaceful Winter scene.

I loved the horse pulling the sled and the peaceful little creek and bridge.

It's hard to tell in the photos, but where the sun appears to be shining along the creek by the bridge ~ that is actually inlaid mother of pearl.

Another miniature work of art

with the signature red lacquered interior.

The Russian booth also had incredible birch bark boxes, but that is another story for another day...

I hope that you enjoyed my little collection ~ a little wintery pleasure on thisblustery day.

Prayers for my friends out east . Stay safe!

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

~Matthew 7:7-8

And there is still time to enter my giveaway. I'll be picking a winner tomorrow evening.

Click here to read about the giveaway.

Blessings, Patti