A beautifully detailed hand-painted wooden box (square shape, 7 cm long, 3 cm height) featuring a richly decorated lid and a contrasting deep red interior. The top is adorned with an intricate floral mandala design set against a gold-toned ground, framed by a vivid periwinkle-blue border with stylized flowers and delicate dotted accents.
The composition is symmetrical and meditative, with layered floral motifs radiating from the center — evocative of folk art traditions that emphasize balance, repetition, and ornamental storytelling. The painted surface has a soft sheen, suggesting careful hand-finishing rather than mass production.
Inside, the box is finished in a saturated red lacquer-like paint, creating a striking contrast with the ornate exterior. When opened, it feels ceremonial — the kind of object meant to hold something meaningful rather than purely functional odds and ends.
This reads as a decorative or keepsake box rather than utilitarian storage, with strong visual presence even when closed.
Likely mid- to late-20th century, drawing from Eastern European, Central Asian, or decorative folk-art-inspired traditions, though exact origin is unconfirmed.
Materials
Based on visual inspection, this box appears to include:
Carved or assembled wooden box base
Hand-painted exterior lid and sides
Metallic gold-toned paint or leaf effect in central medallion
Painted red interior finish
Clear protective coating over painted surfaces
A beautifully detailed hand-painted wooden box (square shape, 7 cm long, 3 cm height) featuring a richly decorated lid and a contrasting deep red interior. The top is adorned with an intricate floral mandala design set against a gold-toned ground, framed by a vivid periwinkle-blue border with stylized flowers and delicate dotted accents.
The composition is symmetrical and meditative, with layered floral motifs radiating from the center — evocative of folk art traditions that emphasize balance, repetition, and ornamental storytelling. The painted surface has a soft sheen, suggesting careful hand-finishing rather than mass production.
Inside, the box is finished in a saturated red lacquer-like paint, creating a striking contrast with the ornate exterior. When opened, it feels ceremonial — the kind of object meant to hold something meaningful rather than purely functional odds and ends.
This reads as a decorative or keepsake box rather than utilitarian storage, with strong visual presence even when closed.
Likely mid- to late-20th century, drawing from Eastern European, Central Asian, or decorative folk-art-inspired traditions, though exact origin is unconfirmed.
Materials
Based on visual inspection, this box appears to include:
Carved or assembled wooden box base
Hand-painted exterior lid and sides
Metallic gold-toned paint or leaf effect in central medallion
Painted red interior finish
Clear protective coating over painted surfaces
Image 1 of 5
Image 2 of 5
Image 3 of 5
Image 4 of 5
Image 5 of 5