RUSSIAN LACQUER BOXES
Behold the legendary handiwork of the most esteemed miniature artists from Palekh. The nimble-fingered virtuosos responsible for these whimsical lacquer boxes began their craft in the 1920's, but pay homage to the icon painters of the 18th century. Each box begins as a humble papier-mâché that is molded and sculpted over a six-week period, then lovingly embellished with multiple layers of lacquer and paint until it reaches burnished perfection.
Admirers new and old alike recognize lacquer boxes by their elegant black backgrounds and distinctive fragrance of linseed oil. Colorful fables, fairy tales, and enchanting woodland scenes dance in charming egg tempera and accents of genuine gold, melted by aqua regia and applied with the delicate touch of a fine squirrel hair brush.
Titled "The Wild Swans" ("Dikie lebedi"), this Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh. The minutely detailed cover of the box depicts a moment from the Russian fairy tale "The Magic Swan Geese," in which a young boy is kidnapped and his older sister must rescue him from Baba Yaga's hut in the woods.
7.5 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches
Titled "Forest Fairy" ("Lesnaja feja"), this minutely detailed Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh.
5.5 x 4.25 x 1.5 inches
Titled "With a Dandelion" ("S Oduvanchikom"), this minutely detailed Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh.
3.75 x 2.25 x 1.25 inches
Titled "The Grey Wolf" ("Seryj volk"), this Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh. The minutely detailed cover of the box depicts Tsarevich Ivan and Helen the Beautiful riding a grey wolf in the Russian fairy tale, "Tsarevich Ivan, the Firebird, and the Grey Wolf."
6.75 x 3 x 1.25 inches
Titled "Tea-time" ("Chaepitie"), this minutely detailed Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh.
5.5 x 2.5 x 1.25 inches
Goblinproofing One's Chicken Coop: An Instructional Pamphlet for Use in Successful Animal Husbandry (Revised & Updated)
An 8-page pamphlet written by Reginald Bakely and printed by Wonderella. 6.5 x 4.25 inches.
Lewis Carroll's Croquet Companion: Rules for Arithmetical Croquet and Croquet Castles (4 or 5 Players)
A 12-page pamphlet edited by Reginald Bakely and printed by Wonderella. 6.5 x 4.25 inches.
On Gnoming: A Pocket Guide to the Successful Hunting and Cooking of Gnomes (Revised & Updated)
An 8-page pamphlet written by Reginald Bakely and printed by Wonderella. 6.5 x 4.25 inches.
Regarding Fairy Phlegm (Formerly known as "Murphy's Smear"): An Account of the Controversy Surrounding Gordon Murphy's Bogie's Bogie
An 8-page pamphlet written by Percival Dwight and printed by Wonderella. 6.5 x 4.25 inches.
For all the travelers who have a free spirit.
The Traveler's Notebook has a simple, roughly cut leather cover that ages and improves with use. Though it comes with simply a blank, fountain-pen-friendly paper refill, this versatile modular notebook is designed to be adapted to many of a traveler's needs, with separate refills available that can allow the notebook to function as a daily planner, sketchbook, journal, card file, folder, or album.
The Traveler's Notebook includes a cotton bag, a brown leather cover, one blank notebook refill, and a spare elastic band.
A variety of refills are available in our shop or upon request at shop@castleintheair.biz or 510.204.9801.
For a full selection of hundreds of wonderful journals and notebooks, please visit our unique brick-and-mortar shop at 1805 Fourth St in Berkeley, CA, or give us a call at 510.204.9801.
This non-refillable hardbound leather journal has creamy blank pages with deckled edges. It measures 14cm x 10cm x 3cm.
For three generations, Manufactus Legatoria has supplied discerning buyers with the highest quality journals, pens, and other writing tools, as well as luscious handmade leather bags and accessories, all from their small factory outside Rome. These accessories are built to last. Manufactus leather acquires character with every scratch and imperfection, but if it's too much you can easily recondition it with a bit of body lotion.
For a full selection of hundreds of wonderful journals and notebooks, please visit our unique brick-and-mortar shop at 1805 Fourth St in Berkeley, CA, or give us a call at 510.204.9801.
This refillable leather journal comes filled with one 13cm x 9cm Manufactus journal refill. Additional refills are available separately upon request with either lined or blank pages.
With refill inserted, this journal measures 14cm x 10cm x 2.5cm.
For three generations, Manufactus Legatoria has supplied discerning buyers with the highest quality journals, pens,and other writing tools, as well as luscious handmade leather bags and accessories, all from their small factory outside Rome. These accessories are built to last. Manufactus leather acquires character with every scratch and imperfection, but if it's too much you can easily recondition it with a bit of body lotion.
For a full selection of hundreds of wonderful journals and notebooks, please visit our unique brick-and-mortar shop at 1805 Fourth St in Berkeley, CA, or give us a call at 510.204.9801.
This elegant copper metallic notebook contains 251 numbered pages and a convenient table of contents. The 80g paper is acid-free and compatible with many inks.
Available with ruled or dotted paper. Each notebook measures 21 cm by 14.5 cm.
For a full selection of hundreds of wonderful journals and notebooks, please visit our unique brick-and-mortar shop at 1805 Fourth St in Berkeley, CA, or give us a call at 510.204.9801.
This elegant softbound copper metallic mini notebook contains 60 numbered pages and a convenient table of contents. The 80g paper is acid-free and compatible with many inks.
Comes in a pack of two. Available with ruled or dotted paper. Each notebook measures 15 cm by 9 cm.
For a full selection of hundreds of wonderful journals and notebooks, please visit our unique brick-and-mortar shop at 1805 Fourth St in Berkeley, CA, or give us a call at 510.204.9801.
Titled "Little Mouse" ("Myshka"), this minutely detailed Russian lacquer box was hand painted in the workshop of E. Krasnov in the village of Palekh.
4 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches