Czar Treasures is an exquisite collection of one-of-a-kind wooden works of art that are hand-carved and hand-painted in Russia. The collection consists of three Nutcracker Suite pieces (two nutcrackers and one figurine based on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet), as well as two wooden Santa figurines. During the creation process, a "statuesque woodcarving" technique is used so that the intricate artistry of these finely crafted Russian pieces can be viewed from all angles. After a close inspection, lead artist Alexander Melnikovich signs and numbers every one of the nutcrackers and figurines, ensuring that they are perfectly sculpted and that each design is unique, even when appearing similar to others. Czar Treasures is a limited edition collection, with each nutcracker and figurine limited to a quantity of 500 pieces.Many meticulous steps are taken during the creation of these intricate designs. The process begins with the selection and drying of the wood, which can take 2 to 4 years. All wood is naturally dried in the open air. Any flawed or discolored pieces are discarded. The wood is then given to a master carver who transforms the wood block into a nutcracker, Santa or other Christmas character.
The finished carving is given to skilled artists who bring the character to life with beautiful applications of paint. The artists work with transparent water color that is applied layer upon layer to achieve depth and detail. The application of color is a very slow process as the paint must have time to dry before another layer can be added. It takes an extremely gifted artist to paint with such precision and delicacy that results in a sheerness that allows the natural wood grain to show through. The final touch is a complex blend of waxes applied over the color to protect the painting.
