Russian Miniature Lacquer Jewelry

At an art show, I recently discovered a display of stunning hand-painted lacquered Russian miniatures and fell in love with their radiant beauty. I selected a few that especially appealed to me and placed a custom order, waiting weeks to receive them. The girl with the Pearl Earring was made just for me and you will not find it anywhere else. I designed a necklace to match the mood of each piece.

The Russian art of lacquered hand-painted miniatures dates back to 1795. For centuries Russia was renowned for magnificent icon painting, as well as panels, boxes and cameos. The secrets of making them, much like the finest Venetian glass, have been passed from one generation to another. Today this art form still flourishes in small studios outside Moscow. Contemporary artists create stunning one of a kind miniatures inspired by details of famous paintings, nature, and abstract patterns.

Each piece is painstakingly hand-painted - no two are ever exactly the same. Three to four layers of paints, along with several coats of lacquer, are applied to the gemstone before it is completed. This layering brings out an iridescent quality further enhanced by an underlay of gold leaf. Each piece is signed by the artist in 14K gold paint.