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For many centuries, chests were the only pieces of storage furniture to be found in the Greek home. Highly valued as a functional item, their connection with a wide range of everyday events and the most important stations in a person’s life (birth, marriage and death) gave the chest, from a very early date, a profound, symbolic meaning in the imagination of the Greek people.
The important functional role of the chest is apparent in its decoration, which generally reflects beliefs and faith. These beliefs differ from place to place, and this can be seen in the different manner of decoration, which may also depend on general historic and social circumstances and events, as well as the artistic tradition of the region.
Drawing on rich seams of Greek folklore and the fruits of many years of field research in every corner of Greece, the book offers an in-depth interpretation of the wealth of decoration found on chests.
Preface by Angelos Delivorrias, Director of the Benaki Museum; Foreword by Ioanna Papantoniou, President of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation.
Over 500 colour illustrations.
PREFACE Angelos Delivorrias
FOREWORD Ιoanna Papantoniou
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE Rachel and Moses Kapon
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART I
THE CHEST
Historical introduction
THE CHEST IN FOLK TRADITION
Superstitions, beliefs, traditions, folk tales, songs
PRODUCTION AND USES OF THE CHEST
Kinds of chests, their production and uses
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION / ADDED FEET ON TYPE B CHESTS / LIDS / HANDLES / THE LOCK AND KEY / THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT / PRODUCTION OF CHESTS / USES OF CHESTS
CHESTS WITH SPECIAL USES
DECORATION
Kinds and manners of decoration, decorative motifs
PAINTED CHESTS / WOOD - CARVED CHESTS / CHESTS DECORATED WITH ADDED MATERIALS / DECORATIVE MOTIFS
DATING
PART II
THE ITINERARY
The Itinerary of research
AEGEAN ISLANDS
NORTHEAST AEGEAN Mytilene / Chios / Samos / Ikaria
DODECANESE
CYCLADES
SPORADES Skyros / Skopelos
CRETE
IONIAN ISLANDS
PELOPONNESE
NORTHEAST GREECE Western Thrace and Macedonia
WESTERN THRACE
EASTERN MACEDONIA
CENTRAL AND WESTERN MACEDONIA
NORTHWEST MACEDONIA
EPIRUS
THE KONITSOCHORIA
POGONI
ZAGOROCHORIA
METSOVO, TZOUMERKA
WESTERN EPIRUS – SOULI
Fieldwork acknowledgements
Notes
Identity of the objects illustrated and additional information