Hand-painted Russian lacquer box made from papier-mache. It is made in the oval shape and measures 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches. Signed by the artist Yu.Belov. The smaller details are painted under a magnifying glass with a one-hair brush. A very small and touching grey kitten sitting on the floor and looking up is depicted on the box. The side of this box is beautifully decorated by painting with gold filigree. After the final painting is done eight or more coats of lacquer are applied, each one having dried and being sanded smooth before the next one is applied. Painted in the studio of Nickolai Gurgeiff, St.Petersburg, Russia.