after a design by Pavel Kozhin, painted by Margarita Shepeleva, stamped red factory mark with hand-painted star, hammer and sickle in red overglaze, inscribed in Russian 'Gusi-Lebedi, sculptor Kozhin, painted by Shepeleva after a design by Kozhin', initials IK (Cyrillic)

Hillwood Museum, no. 28

Oda k Radosti/Ode to Joy, p. 357, cat. no. 284

Excellent condition. A small loss to the underside of the goose-swan's left wing. Tiny glazing losses to the extremities of the child's right fingers and the goose-swan's beak.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A tale recorded by Alexander Afanasiev (1826-1871), Gusi-Lebedi tells of a young boy stolen away on a gesse-swans by Baba Yaga and rescued by his sister with the aid of a magical river, apple tree and stove.