Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery Bochka

Trinity-St. Sergius monastery (Троице-Сергиев монастырь). Decorated hand made box from Sergiev Posad with its wooden churches, walls, stockade fences and gate. The monastery  was founded by St. Sergius of Radonezh in 1337. It began as a small wooden church on Makovets Hill dedicated to the Holy Trinity, located deep inside thick forests. This is a finely decorated pokerwork and painted barrel-shape (i.e. bochka or бочка) box in like new condition with minor wear.  Late 20th c. Zagorsk Artel production. Factory marking on the bottom. 5½" in height by about 3" in diameter. 1 only.

Cottage industry “kustar” work (Кустарная промышленность) was important for rural peasants and their families in parts of Russia starting in the 16th century. It developed extensively during the 19th century, producing a wide range of arts and crafts in wood, textile, and metal. Some of the more substantial enterprises later formed cooperatives and factories.

A Short History of Zagorsk and Sergiev-Posad Folk Art