Russian Khokhloma Decorative Wooden Spoon

This item is a decorative wooden spoon crafted in the traditional Russian folk art style known as Khokhloma. The piece is hand-carved from wood and features a deep, rounded bowl with a long, cylindrical handle. The bowl is finished with a characteristic high-gloss black lacquer base, which provides a dramatic backdrop for the intricate hand-painted floral and berry motifs. The design displays vivid red berries (likely rowan or strawberry) and stylized golden-yellow leaves accented with delicate black vinery and swirls. The gold-like finish is achieved through a unique process involving tin powder and heat, creating a metallic luster without the use of actual gold. The handle is divided into decorative sections: a black band at the neck, a central length of golden lacquer, and a bright red-painted tip. In terms of condition, the spoon shows signs of light wear consistent with age, including minor surface abrasions and small chips in the lacquer along the handle and edges of the bowl. No maker's marks are visible in the provided image, but the style is indicative of mid-20th-century production from the Nizhny Novgorod region. The craftsmanship reflects traditional Russian wood-turning and lacquering techniques, intended primarily for decorative use or as a souvenir rather than culinary utility.