Kholui is a well-known village situated in 360 km north-east from Moscow. It has been a centre of Russian icon painting since 16th century. The «Kholui Art Workshops» were founded on July 1st, 1934, and now Kholui is known as one of the centres of lacquer miniature painting on papier-mвchй.

The themes for miniature paintings vary from Russian fairy-tales to Russian epics, folklore, and history. Special attention is paid to architectural landscape. The warmth of painters' hands shows in every item. All of the lacquer miniature items are hand-painted, and only natural components are used at all stages of production.

There are 170 highly qualified painters working at the Workshops. The range of items is very wide and includes nearly 1,000 types of lacquer paintings on various themes. At present, icon painting is being revived preserving the technologies and requirements of ancient Kholui icons. The art of Kholui lacquer miniature is original school of Russian arts and crafts.

The Workshops' production includes: Boxes, Brooches, Painted panels, Portraits, Chests, Icons, Name icons, Congratulatories and more.

All of the items are done in Kholui lacquer painting manner preserving the style and traditions. In charge of the production quality is the Art Committee — a body of highly qualified painters, National and Honoured Painters of Russia.

We are glad to consider all your suggestions and wishes. Truly yours, with best wishes of prosperity to all those who enjoy the art of Kholui painters,

Vladimir A. Tchirkin, Chairperson,
Russian Lacquer Miniature