The 1960s and 1980s are considered the ‘silver period’ of Palekh lacquer miniature. During this period, artisans were freed from the constraints of official art of the 1940s and 1950s, and returned to the original Palekh style and Old Russian cultural heritage.

Valentin Khodov was one of the best miniaturists of the ‘silver period’. He emulated the art of ‘old masters’ — the founders of Palekh Artel of Ancient Painting — Ivan Bakanov, Ivan Golikov, Alexander Kotukhin and others.

The artist turned to historical and literary themes, folklore, created sketches of scenes from everyday life, and focused a lot on depicting elements of architectural landscapes in his works. He was a cheerful and witty person and a great joker; he created a number of works in which he presented national images of skomorokhs (medieval clowns) and mummers (amateur actors).

One of them is the chest ‘Russian mummers’. The artist skillfully depicted the culture of popular laughter of Kievan Rus. He captured many popular images beloved by the people: a skomorokh with a rooster, acrobats with a dog, a folk puppet theater, a bear dancing on its hind legs to a balalaika (triangular musical instrument) and a buben (tambourine), and other musicians with instruments.

The artist carefully worked out each of the five compositions located on the lid and sides of the chest. Funny, expressive and lively scenes complement each other and create a feeling of a festive carousel. The master adorned the chest with decorative elements to make it even more joyful: intricate patterns on the clothes and lush flowers are painted against the red background of the item. However, he did not overload the composition and maintained clarity of drawing.

Skomorokhs and mummers were professional medieval actors. Simultaneously, they also performed as singers, musicians, dancers, storytellers, comics. One of their favorite festive activities was ‘leading the bear’.

In the old days, people filed down the beast’s fangs and put a ring through the nose. A chain was attached to the ring, by which “Mikhailo Ivanovich” was lead. Such “trained” bears could dance, perform theatrical scenes and walk around people with a hat in their paws.

Art historian Dmitry Rovinsky described the bear performance: “The leader begins by saying: 'Well, Mishenka, bow to honest people and show them <…> how lovely maidens and young women paint their faces with white and rouge, look in the mirror, pretty themselves up'. Misha sits down on the ground, rubs his muzzle with one paw, and with the other twists his fist in front of his snout, which represents a girl looking in the mirror”.

In some regions, animal trainers passed on their knowledge from generation to generation: they preferred to take the animals when they were still young and often raised them together with their own children, thus their successors could quickly master the profession.