China and Japan are regarded as the cradles of artistic laquer work. From the 16th century this art found its way into Western Europe leading to the emergence of several lacquer industries vying with one another in the European market. Among the best known were the French lacquers, the Scottish lacquers that earned a name for Britain, and from the mid-18th century - the work of the Braunschweig factory of Johann Stobwasser in Germany.
In Russia the first lacquer work dates to the early 18th century. In Peterhof the Chinese Study (1716-1722) in Monplaisir Palace was decorated with lacquer panels, the work of Russian masters.
Russian licquers were essentially different from their Eastern counterparts, and the painting was done in oils. The production process was long and required great professional skill. The material and the work itself were costly. The development of the lacquer-painting industry enjoyed privileges from the state customs policy - their export was exempted from taxation.
The growing demand for lacquer work along with the acquired experience and the artistic skill created favourable conditions for setting up the country's first lacquer enterprises. In Moscow, Petersburg and their Governorships, lacquer snuff-boxes, trays, goblets and caskets were made from papier-mache (paper pulped with glue, chalk and plaster of Paris) in large quantities.
In the second half of the century laquer on metal emerged on a wide scale. Metal objects with lacquer ornaments were manufactured in the villages of Ostankovo, Zhostovo and Novoseltsevo near Moscow, and in Nizny Tagil in the Urals.
Lacquer miniature paintings brings one into world of images, the product of the artists imagination. It is distinguished for its delicate form, subtle brushwork, sophisticated colour combinations and poetic character of images.
Fedoskino is the site of the country's oldest miniature industry. In the late 18th century merchant I.P. Korobov set up a factory of lacquer production in the village of Danilkovo (now Fedoskino) near Moscow, which in the early 19th century was inherited by his son-in-law P.Vl Lukutin. This was the time of new creative guests, perfection of painting technique and decorative ornamentation. The Lukutin lacquers became known abroad.
The Lukutin lacquer miniature was popular for its high artistic workmanship. The painting was done in oils, with compact brushwork and the fine "transparent" strokes. Gold leaf and metallic powders were often used that showed through the translucent coat of paint.