Russian lacquer boxes are well-known and very popular all over the world.

There are 4 famous villages producing these wonderful and artistic boxes: Fedoskino, Palekh, Kholuy and Mstyora.

Fedoskino village is located 23 km away from Moscow. By the end of 18th century, Fedoskino became a centre for Russian arts and crafts producing various unique handmade products including Russian lacquer boxes. Fedoskino arts and crafts are particularly realistic and vivid. All the elements of the pictures have realistic proportions and colours. Fedoskino boxes are not just souvenirs, each one is an authentic masterpiece.

The village of Palekh is well-known for its unique paints formula that have been passed down through the generations. Palekh boxes are highly appreciated by many customers, not only in Russia, but also in Europe and the rest of the world.

Until the year 1917, Kholuy village was a centre of iconography specialising in works of art for the Russian churches. After the revolution in 1917, any signs of religious life were discouraged by the new authorities and so the Holuy artists had to find other ways to express their talents. They started creating Russian lacquer boxes achieving the great results we see today.

Mstyora village crafts appeared in the early 20th century based on the local tradition of icon-painting. In 1923 Mstyora painters formed an artel called Ancient Russian Folk Painting. This artel was turned into a thriving craft business in 1960. The Mstyora painting technology was copied from the Palekh artists.

Nowadays, all four villages maintain their own traditions and techniques for producing these magnificent lacquer boxes.