Detail from a Lakis Box

I know things Russian aren't popular at the moment but this was aquired in the comparatively settled times after the cold war and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Lakis boxes are made in four small villages north west of Moscow.  They are hand made using traditional methods and materials.  The box is 24cm (9.5") by 12cm (4.75").  I will put a shot of the whole box in extras to give an idea of scale.

THey are covered in a transparent lacquer after they have been hand painted.  Another interesting point is the artists make their own brushes from Squirrel hair.