For many centuries, chests were the only items 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.