On a Type of Russian Chests Called «Baul» of the 18th-19th Centuries. History and Art Style

The study of specific types of chests is one of the most prolific areas of the research of Russian chest production. However, today they receive insufficient attention from researches. This paper deals with the history of one of the types of Russian chests called «baul». The issues of their appearance in Russia, their connection with European items (in particular, Scandinavian ones) are considered and specific museum works are analyzed. The comparative method is used to identify the artistic features of Russian «bauls». Items of Russian and foreign museum collections were used. The author draws several conclusions: the chest called «baul» is an independent type of Russian chests; the «baul» as a type of chest was most likely borrowed by Russian craftsmen from Western Europe; despite of the obvious similarity that can be seen in its form and design, Russian and foreign products have their own art style; Russian masters were participants in the pan-European cultural process.