Miniature Art.
Hand Painted Brooches and Pins
at The Russian Shop in Lisle IL.

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Russian brooches, buttons and pins are exquisite miniature oil paintings from some of Russia's most highly talented artists. Several centuries ago, miniature portraits and paintings achieved great status in the art world. Russian masters learned special techniques from England, Italy, and other great art centers. Commonly, subject matter came from Russian classical painting and included portraiture of the 18th-19th centuries as well as some derived from folk art.
The techniques of production for these miniature works of art include the application of several layers of paint, each fully dried and then coated with a transparent lacquer, before the final steps of polishing occurs. Translucency is a hallmark of the style. In the hands of an expert, the colors are rich, and the finished piece glows as if alive. Mother-of-pearl, both fresh water and river, lends a wonderful stylistic quality. Gold, silver, bronze, and aluminum powders are frequently mixed with the oils. Painting is on papier-mache, mother-of-pearl, wood and can be inset into a handmade metal surround. Many times the clasp is a safety pin embedded into the papier-mache. Each piece serves multiple functions: first, as affordable wearable art, second, as frameable art, and third, an heirloom to passed on to younger family members.
All pieces are signed by the artist.
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Click on the picture for a closer view.
Winter Scene Small Pendant.
Fedoskino, 1998.
Oil, papier-mache. 1 1/2"x1 1/4".
[#PB-2NS6] 1 only.

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Winter Scene Pendant.
Fedoskino, 1998.
Oil, shell. 1 3/4" x 1 1/4".
[#PB-2N3] 1 only.

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Winter Scene Pendant.
Fedoskino, 1998.
Oil, shell. 1 3/4" x 1 1/2".
[#PB-2N1] 1 only.

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Winter Scene Brooch.
Fedoskino, 1998.
Oil, shell. 2"x 1 1/2".
Small hairline crack.
[#PB-2NiCk] 1 only.

Click on the picture for a closer view.
Winter Scene Pendant.
Fedoskino, 1998.
Oil, shell. 1 3/4" x 1 1/4".
[#PB-2N22] 1 only.

How to Order
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