Vintage Russian ( Ukrainian) Fairytale Egg “Ruslan And Ludmila” 24-karat-gold For Sale

Height: 4 1/4 inches

Art form: Russian miniature. The original lacquer artwork for this fairy-tale egg was painted by hand at Palekh by Master Artist Gleb Lubimov. Continues a 600-year tradition of miniature painting , whereby artisans use delicate, sable-tipped brushes and apply 24-karat gold, which is burnished with a wolf's tooth to achieve a mirror-like polish.

Description: Rare ceramic colors on black lacquer background. Signature of Master Artist

Lubimov. Individual number kiln -fired into base of each egg to establish its unique place in the

limited edition.

Distinction: A landmark in Russian art history: the first porcelain fairy-tale egg re-creating

original Russian lacquer art; premier issue in the Russian Fairy Tale Egg Collection.

Provenance: Based on art work by Master Lubimov and created solely for this limited edition.

Russia's first collection of fairy-tale eggs authorized by USSR Agency for Artists Rights (VAAP)

and Masters of Palekh for firing outside the USSR

Marque of Issue: Masters of Palekh, USSR, to be fired in not more than 68 days.

Market Watch: "Ruslan and Ludmilla" arrives at optimum time for committing your invest-

ment dollar to Russian art. An antique diamond-encrusted Fabergé egg fetched a full

$3.1 million at sale in Geneva last year - a record for any 19th-century work of the decorative

arts and a clear indication of collector interest in Russian eggs.

Quality of Craftsmanship: Excellent. Master Lubimov achieves extraordinary detail in the

clarity of physical features. Brilliant ceramic colors; 24-karat-gold accents.

Value Appraisal: "Ruslan and Ludmilla" is a superb acquisition. Few art works of comparable

quality and authentic Russian provenance are to be found on today's market.

Contains: -Original purchase order from 3/2/1991

-Statement of appraisal ; The documents on the egg