Sirin and Akonost * Phoenix

Description:

"Sirin and Akonost" is a work of art depicting mythical creatures with the body of a bird and the head of a beautiful woman. They sing enchanting songs. Their story can be compared with the Greek legend of the sirens who seduced and sent many sailors to a premature death. This fountain pen, consisting of tempera on goldleaf, was created by Yekaterina Shchanitsyna, a leading specialist in iconography.

The technique of lacquer art in fact originated in China and Japan! Thanks to the many voyages of discovery that were undertaken, Chinese and Oriental lacquer arts were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Already in the 18th century, beautifully lacquered snuffboxes were manufactured in France, England and Germany. One of the biggest producers at that time was Johann Stobwasser's factory in Braunschweig, Germany. 

The Palekh school is known for its use of tempera, goldleaf and lacquer. Tempera is a painting medium based on egg yolk. It dries fast and leaves little scope for colour gradations. Tempera is not the medium for realistic paintings but rather for fairytale scenes inspired by myths and legends with detailed compositions or thought-provoking images.

Click here and learn more about the history of Russian Lacquer Art!