WONDERFUL ARTIST SIGNED HANDPAINTED RUSSIAN SANTA 12" Start Price USD 599.99 Current Price USD 599.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 01, 2008 End Time Monday, September 08, 2008 Location Vestal, NY See more about 'WONDERFUL ARTIST SIGNED HANDPAINTED RUSSIAN SANTA 12"' Description                  CALLING ALL SANTA COLLECTORS, WHAT A FABULOUS SANTA THIS IS!!!!!    IT IS MAGNIFICENT, IT DEPICTS THE CHRISTMAS STORY  "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"                                                   .  This wonderful handcraved Russian Santa is carved from linden wood amd handpainted using flat paints, which I think are so much richer than the glossy laquer paint seen on so many of these Santas.                                                     This is such a wonderful example of the rapidly disappearing artistry employed by the master Russian craftsmen for centuries...  These are techiques passed down for generations and there are  very few willing to carry on the tradition that is so labor intensive; so there are fewer to choose from and they are going to become rarer and even more expensive.    Each of these Santas is unique and according to the skill of the artists you have varying degrees of excellence.                                                          This artist in my estimation is one of the very very best.    LOOK AT THE STORY DEPICTED ON THE FRONT OF SANTA'S GOWN, NOTICE THE SMALL LITTLE GIRL ASLEEP AS SHE DREAMS OF CHRISTMAS MORNING.  SEE THE KITTEN NEXT HER BED, THE TREE ALL DECORATED, THE PACKAGES AT THE FOOT OF THE TREE AND SANTA WITH HIS FINGER AT HIS LIPS HUSHING THE KITTEN.  NOTICE THE FALLING SNOW OUTSIDE IN THE NIGHT SKY.  THIS ARTIST DOES SUCH WONDERFUL WORK, EVERYTHING HE DOES IS SPECIAL.  HE DOESN'T PAINT JUST LARGE FIGURES ON SANTAS  WHICH ARE MUCH EASIER TO DO, BUT RATHER DOES SMALLER MORE DETAILED SCENES WHICH ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND LABOR INTENSIVE.            This Santa is 12" tall and 5" wide, so it is a nice large substantial piece; both the staff and the painted box in his hands are removable..                                                        I acquired this signed piece directly from the artist in Moscow, and two years ago during the holidays, I saw this same piece displayed in the Neiman Marcus holiday shop in Atlanta.  The price was $1,500. I truly believe this is the same artist because of the uniqueness of his designs. I have never seen the caliber of this work by any one else in Moscow.      All the detail work on this piece is just superb.   Just a fabulous, fabulous piece to add to that special collection.     Please check out the other Russian Santa I am listing, it is by the same artist, totally different and totally fabulous also.  .      So good luck and happy bidding.          Shipping and Handling on this piece are free  within the U.S. , standard mail shipping  ( insurance is also included in your purchase ).  International bidders please e-mail me for estimate of shipping charges. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: I WILL ONLY LIST THE ACTUAL SELLING PRICE OF THE ITEM ON THE CUSTOMS FORM.   I WILL ACCEPT PAYPAL AND MONEY ORDERS  FOR THIS AUCTION.                  Place a Bid!