This exceptional HAND PAINTED ornament was created out of birch wood in Russia. The tree was cut in spring, stripped of its bark leaving a few rings to prevent the wood from cracking when dried. The logs were dried and kept in the open for several years. The logs are then cut in smaller pieces. All the operations do not involve any measurement and rely on intuition and require great skill. After the turning work on a lathe is done the ornament is cleaned, primed with starchy glue to make its surface smooth, polished and now it is ready for painting. After having been hand-painted they are dried for several days. Then the ornament is ready for the lacquer to be applied. Many different coats are needed to give the item the brilliant shine. The ornament is covered with 6 or 7 layers of lacquer. It measures 3" x 1/2".