This Russian lacquered box is titled "The Frog Princess" and is based on the famous Russian fairy tale. This lacquered box was painted by the Russian artist Sokolov from the village of Palekh. The size of this lacquered box is 3.5" x 2.5" x 1.5".

The Frog Princess

The king sets his three sons to marry, and tests their chosen brides. The king tells them to shoot arrows and find their brides where the arrows land, and the youngest prince's arrow is picked up by a frog. The two older sons may already have girls picked out, but the youngest son is at a loss until a friendly frog takes pity on him and offers to marry him.

The king then assigns his three prospective daughters-in-law various tasks, such as spinning cloth and baking bread. In every task the frog far outdoes the lazy brides-to-be of the older brothers. Still, the young prince is ashamed of his froggy bride, until she is magically transformed into a princess.

The last test may be dancing, with the frog bride having shed her skin; the prince then burns it, to her dismay. If he had waited, she would have been free, but he has lost her. He then sets out to find her again and meets up with Baba Yaga, whom he impresses with his spirit, demanding to know why she has not offered him hospitality. She may tell him that Koschei has his bride captive, and how to find the magic needle, without which Koschei will be helpless; with that, he rescues his bride. no transformations break her free again.