szuszék (timber corn-bin)

A chest made by a plank split with an axe and in a joiners manner. One of the characteristics of its structure is that the horizontal planks are held together by four butt piers. The other, thicker planks are joined together like tiles. Its lid is often either roof-shaped or curved and it rotates on a dowel that protrudes from the back-side of the box. It was mainly seen in Europe, originally used as clothes-chest or a coffin and from the turn of the century for storing grain crops. Among the Hungarian peasantry the szuszék was known throughout the country by the 14th century, it was sold at fairs and local versions were created. From the 14-15th century original chests were found in the church fortresses of Transylvanian villages (church chests) which were decorated with geometrical patterns that were chiselled, and figurative as well as sarmentose patterns painted by artist painters.

TI