Russian Lacquered Palekh Firebird Folk Art Keepsake Trinket Box USSR 5.5"

Description

Vintage USSR Russian Firebird folklore / fairy tale keepake trinket box featuring hinged lid, footed base and red interior.

Palekh
Zhar-Ptitsa (Slavic Firebird)
Chernishova (last name of the artist)

The Russian Firebird, and one of the first introduced to Western Magizoologists, hence the naming of the classification. With wings which turned to flame and constantly light-giving feathers, some have suggested it may have been a hybrid between Ercinee and an Arabian or Indian Phoenix, however it is generally accepted as being its own breed.

Zhar-Ptitsa are usually quite large birds, and are usually proportioned akin to peacocks. Their plumage is quite bright, in red, orange and yellow, and glowing as brightly and warmly as a bonfire past the more turbulent part of its span, once it has settled down. Their eyes are usually dark, although rarely there will be a Zhar-Ptitsa with glowing eyes, and those which more closely resemble Peacocks also often have brightly glowing “eyes” on their tail feathers".

The feathers of Firebirds have long been sought as prizes, for their beauty, their luminosity, even when taken from the bird, and their uses, in healing potions, and in wandmaking, as a substitute for other firebird feathers. Firebird feathers can glow so brightly they can be used to light rooms, and there are some pureblood Slavic families whose halls are lit by careful arrangements of Zhar-Ptitsa feathers.

One of the most well known of all Zhar-Ptitsa is one known as Raróg, which to this day remains in the possession of the Ukrainian Ministry of Magic. Appearing much more like a falcon than a peacock, the bird is known to be able to heal mental health issues with the greatest ease of any Firebird, and seen as one of the symbols of magical Ukraine, alongside the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon.

Condition

Good Overall - Some crazing to lid

Dimensions

5.5" x 2.75" x 2" (Width x Depth x Height)