WOODWORK AND CARVING IN LITHUANIA

Rimanto Stankevičiaus pagrindinė mokykla,

Marijampolė, Lithuania

Wood and clay was the cheapest and the most common material that Lithuanians used from ancient times. Not only houses were built of them but also various household items were produced, such as big and little baskets, seed bowls, mortars, crockery...

Furniture was made of it and even work tools as well.

Women’s working tools for various purposes were made with special mastery and art. Spindles, hooks, paddles or rolling pins were beautifully carved and engraved with geometric ornaments, in rare cases - with schematic or plant motives.

All of these items were appreciated, people were proud of having such beauty in their homes and passing them to other generations.

They also twined different household items from wickers such as small and big baskets for grain, flour, flax, wool and other things.

The most elaborate of these were dowry chests. They were used by young girls to keep their dowry in which consisted of textile, clothes and other precious things. These chests were saved with high respect. The size and weight of the dowry chest represented the bride’s status in the society and the elaborate carvings showed her esthetic taste.

Towel racks were exceptional for their various forms and decorations. In addition, inwrought towels hung on these beautiful racks.

Lithuanians have very interesting ritual wooden masks related with Shrovetide characters and customs. A wooden carved mask often depicts old man’s face with a huge, crooked nose, different- sized eyes, open mouth with only a few teeth, tow hair and a sheep wool beard.

Lithuania is famous for its wooden crosses, crucifixions, roof pillars and chapels. Lithuanian cross- making is included in the list of the world’s heritage of mankind’s verbal and non-material masterpiece by UNESCO.

THE HILL OF CROSSES BECAME THE SYMBOL OF LITHUANIAN CROSS-MAKING.

WOODEN SCULPTURES OF SCULPTOR ČESNULIS IN DRUSKININKAI

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