** Note: some high quality papier-mâché blanks are now being made without the clay primer and instead are being soaked in a solution of modern automotive lacquer. Each of the four traditional centers of Russian lacquer miniature painting has a school that trains its artists passing on traditions and techniques that result in a distinct "village" style. Style: Learn to identify the style characteristics of the four villages. This is a good test and you should learn to identify this smell. If it has the rich, almost "antique" smell of linseed oil, then it is likely genuine. Smell: After about 6 months of aging, the papier-mâché begins to have a distinct odor from its linseed oil base. The sound of real papier-mâché will seem muted and soft when compared with nontraditional materials. Wood boxes sound "sharp" or "harsh," and plastic or argalite also gives off a louder "click" when tapped. Sound: Tap the bottom of the box with a fingernail or tap the lid gently closed. Take the time to handle a few authentic boxes and you will learn to feel the difference. Weight: The weight of the box is another clue since papier-mâché is usually lighter than wood or pressed argalite for the same size, wall thickness, etc. Examine the painting with a magnifying glass to identify "cutouts," and the many tiny "dots" that make up a photo decoupage. Look for a grid pattern on the bottom or sides of the box that indicates a machine pressed argalite box. Is the painting "flat" or does it have the depth of field of true miniature art, achieved by the process of "layering" many applications of paint and lacquer? The box should not have seams that show.
Tips to authenticate a true Russian lacquer miniature
The papier-mâché process, which takes an average of six weeks, ensures the most stable medium - it will not warp, does not expand and contract with temperature, and has a linseed oil base which renders it impervious to moisture. Educating yourself about the art and buying from reputable dealers will ensure that any purchase you make will be of high quality.Īuthentic Russian lacquer boxes, from the four traditional villages that produce them, should be painted by traditional techniques on a papier-mâché base. Many of these fakes have the name of one of the four villages and even the name of a well known artist added to fool the uneducated buyer. These imitation lacquer miniatures are being sold on the streets of Russia and through venues like eBay. As a result, many Russian boxes are now being produced by untrained people using inferior materials such as wood, poured acrylic, or pressed sawdust-board called argalite. With the opening of Russia in 1990, the art of Russian lacquer miniature painting has gained worldwide appreciation and these small treasures are highly sought after by collectors.
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