Palekh miniatures are another relatively contemporary form of Russian folk art, based on older traditions. These beautiful, and small, paintings trace their origins to the early 20th century. Like many examples of folk art, they are based in a particular locale, in this case, the village of Palekh.
Palekh was long noted as a center for the creation of Russian Orthodox religious icons. However, with the rise of the Soviet Union and the Communist government’s encouragement of folk art for tourist consumption, the artisans had to turn their skills to different subject matter. The result was the Palekh miniature.
These miniature paintings, typically done on papier mache are used as decoration on items such as cigarette cases, cigar boxes, or jewellery boxes. The subject matter of Palekh miniatures can vary, but they frequently show scenes from life, or from literary works, songs, or fairy tales.
Palekh miniatures are painted with temepra paints, and the adorned object is varnished to protect the artwork. The miniatures are usually set off by an intricate pattern, drawn with gold dust dissolved in an aqua regia acid solution. The miniatures are notable for their bright colors and complex designs, artwork traditions with trace their roots to the religious icons of the same region.