Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Box “Battle”. Palekh, USSR, 1977. Papier-mâché, egg tempera, raised gold, lacquer. Diameter 8 cm; circular box. Condition report: Signs of wear; abrasions to the lacquer. Provenance: From the Golikov family collection (Palekh). Created and preserved within the artist’s personal archive. A complex and dynamic composition by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, one of the leading masters of the Palekh school, Honoured Artist of the RSFSR, and a representative of a distinguished artistic dynasty, son of Ivan Ivanovich Golikov. The work belongs to the artist’s mature period and presents a multi-figure battle scene structured through movement and interaction. The composition unfolds across the surface of the lid as a tightly organised arrangement of riders in combat. Set against a black lacquer ground, the figures are rendered in contrasting red and gold tones, enhancing the sense of energy and visual tension. The varied positioning of the figures contributes to the complexity of the scene. The fine detailing - from armour to weapons - is executed using raised gold and the traditional multi-layered tempera technique. A decorative border frames the composition, reinforcing its formal coherence. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are held in major museum collections and form part of the established canon of Palekh miniature painting. Works with direct family provenance are rarely encountered on the market. Multi-figure battle compositions, requiring a high degree of technical and compositional skill, are particularly valued within the artist’s oeuvre. A dynamic Palekh miniature by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, demonstrating the compositional complexity of his mature period. Such works are seldom available and are typically acquired at the point of first availability.