Box making is a time honored Polish tradition that started many years ago in the Tatra Mountains. Most of the boxes are made of Linden wood, a Central European species famous for shading main boulevards of many Polish cities. However they could also be made of birch, alder, or poplar wood.
The boxes are constructed in the medieval tradition, with no metal fasteners. Sides are held together with rectangular wooden pegs and glue - a technique known to Polish woodworkers as the feather joint. All boxes have wood interiors, sometimes stained in colors to match the outside, and sometimes unfinished or lightly varnished, preserving the wood's bright natural color.
Traditional designs use extensive wood burning and carving to create a rich, textured background with stained and painted patterns, or a labor-intensive brass inlay that adds extra sparkle and value to the boxes. Some of the most elaborate boxes combine several of these techniques. Others may have a more simple elegance with just the right touch of one of them.
Collectors consider this boxes a work of art. They also can make a wonderful gift for any occasion or to decorate your room and protect your treasures. |