Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Brooch “Duel”. Palekh, USSR, 1968. Papier-mâché, tempera miniature painting, raised gold, lacquerю Diameter: 5 cm Condition report: Minor signs of wear to the lacquer; slight age-related drying and localized surface indentations on the reverse and along the lower edge of the composition. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty (Palekh). Preserved within the artist’s family archive - a rare instance of a work remaining in the artist’s family before entering the market. A highly refined and dynamic miniature by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, one of the leading figures of the Palekh school and a key representative of its second generation. He was the son of Ivan Ivanovich Golikov, one of the founders of Palekh lacquer miniature painting. The composition “Duel” is set against a vivid cinnabar-red ground and centres on the dramatic confrontation of two riders on white and black horses. The scene is charged with movement and tension, articulated through elegant linework and finely balanced silhouettes. Executed with exceptional technical control, the work showcases intricate detailing in raised gold and the sophisticated layering of traditional tempera painting — hallmarks of the finest Palekh production. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are held in major museum collections, including the State Russian Museum and the State Historical Museum, and are widely regarded as part of the core canon of Palekh art. Pieces with direct family provenance are rarely available on the open market. Such works typically transition quickly into established private collections and seldom reappear. At the current level, this lot represents a compelling opportunity to acquire a museum-quality Palekh miniature with strong provenance and clear long-term collecting potential - a category defined by limited supply and sustained demand. A museum-level Palekh miniature by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, preserved within the artist’s family. Opportunities of this calibre are infrequent and typically secured by discerning collectors at the point of first availability.