Hand-Carved and Painted Russian Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) Figurine

This is a hand-carved wooden figurine of Ded Moroz, the traditional Russian figure similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus. The piece is crafted from a single block of wood, likely linden or another soft wood traditional to Russian folk art. It stands approximately 6 to 8 inches tall. The figure wears a long, deep-red caftan decorated with delicate gold-painted snowflakes and trimmed with cream-colored faux fur detailing featuring textural grey brushstrokes. He holds a carved green pine tree in his right hand and a blue sack of gifts in his left. His long, flowing beard is intricately carved with swirling patterns and painted in shades of cream and white. The face features hand-painted eyes and a warm expression. A notable marking is present on the front edge of the base, which appears to be the handwritten signature 'ABOPHHNA' (likely Artyukhina/Adonina), indicating it is an artist-signed piece. The base remains unpainted on the bottom, showing the natural wood grain and light honey patina. The condition is excellent, showing minimal wear, no visible cracks in the wood, and vibrant paint colors, suggesting it is a late 20th-century or early 21st-century collectible piece of high-quality folk craftsmanship.