The storage box was intended for storing small items. In the house of the poet Majit Gafuri it had been placed on a chest of drawers. The top of the lid of the box is decorated with two relief pyramids, the sides are decorated with a smooth pattern that also has the shape of a pyramid. The clasp is made in the form of a butterfly, and the base is made from a cardboard box painted with scarlet paint.
The first storage boxes appeared more than three thousand years ago in China. At that time, they were simple boxes, where people stored their valuables. The box shape became progressively more elaborate, and new decorations and materials were added to make it. In ancient times, for example, boxes were made mainly of stone but, over time, they were made of wood. The first owners of boxes were aristocrats who often stored not jewelry, but documents and letters in them.
In Russia, the prototype of the modern storage boxes were small chests or cases, often equipped with secret compartments. They were hidden on the bottom of the item or in its lid. Such compartments were used for keeping private things that were not meant for strangers’ eyes. The boxes were made of wood, birch bark, stone, cast iron or clay and decorated with carvings and drawings. At the homes of the rich, there were pieces inlaid with gold and precious stones, which were very expensive.
Music box variety came later, but quickly became popular. Snuff boxes also often contained snuffing tobacco for which there were several compartments for different types and blends.
The storage box from the museum’s collection is made of straw. Weaving is one of the most ancient crafts. It appeared in connection with the development of agriculture: after the harvest people had a lot of straw to use. It was used to make mats, baskets, hats and other household items. Often straw was used to cover the roof of the house or as fodder for livestock. When dry, it is a very brittle material, but once steamed it becomes flexible and soft. As it dried, it became stiff and retained its shape.
The first storage boxes appeared more than three thousand years ago in China. At that time, they were simple boxes, where people stored their valuables. The box shape became progressively more elaborate, and new decorations and materials were added to make it. In ancient times, for example, boxes were made mainly of stone but, over time, they were made of wood. The first owners of boxes were aristocrats who often stored not jewelry, but documents and letters in them.
In Russia, the prototype of the modern storage boxes were small chests or cases, often equipped with secret compartments. They were hidden on the bottom of the item or in its lid. Such compartments were used for keeping private things that were not meant for strangers’ eyes. The boxes were made of wood, birch bark, stone, cast iron or clay and decorated with carvings and drawings. At the homes of the rich, there were pieces inlaid with gold and precious stones, which were very expensive.
Music box variety came later, but quickly became popular. Snuff boxes also often contained snuffing tobacco for which there were several compartments for different types and blends.
The storage box from the museum’s collection is made of straw. Weaving is one of the most ancient crafts. It appeared in connection with the development of agriculture: after the harvest people had a lot of straw to use. It was used to make mats, baskets, hats and other household items. Often straw was used to cover the roof of the house or as fodder for livestock. When dry, it is a very brittle material, but once steamed it becomes flexible and soft. As it dried, it became stiff and retained its shape.
