The world of caskets

“The World of Caskets” is a non-governmental (private) thematic collection scientific and educational museum of decorative and applied arts, the first in Russia and the only thematic museum of caskets in the world ^[1] . The museum was opened on September 27, 2014, the Year of Culture in Russia and International Tourism Day ^[2] . The museum is located in the city of Stavropol .

The museum’s collection, which dates back to 1990, contains more than 3200 exhibits from 109 countries of the world, and all continents except Antarctica are represented. The third part of the collection is made up of Russian-made caskets.

Caskets from a wide variety of materials are assembled:

- traditional - ceramics, porcelain, faience, wood, birch bark, papier-mâché, glass, crystal, ornamental and semiprecious stones, bone and horn, metals and alloys, rye and rice straws, leather, fabrics, beads, etc .;

- non-traditional (even unusual) - plexiglass, paper, salty dough, soap, wax, cement, cactus wood, clove inflorescences, cinnamon bark, pumpkin fruits, coconut, peach bones, paper twine, pine needles, porcupine needles, cherry tails, corn leaves.

The collection includes:

- Russian folk arts and crafts - lacquer miniature, Kasli casting, stone and bone carving, Kazakov filigree, Rostov enamel , Usol enamel, Gusev and Dyatkovo crystal , Yaroslavl majolica , imperial, Dulevo and Khaitinsky porcelain, drakejel porcelain, semraquel and drakejel porcelain, semrak .

- World art centers - Meissen (Germany), Limoges (France), Wedgwood (Great Britain), Bohemia (Czech Republic), Boleslawiec (Poland), Kütahya, Iznik (Turkey), etc .;

- international brands - Villeroy & Boch, Goebel (Germany), Harmony Kingdom (Great Britain), Deruta, Pavone (Italy), Herend, Hollóháza (Hungary), Florenza, Lenox, Fenton (USA), Servin (Mexico), Inarco, Lefton (Japan) and others.

Of the Russian folk crafts, most attention is paid to Gzhel - one of the oldest crafts in our country, known since 1339. The museum has a collection of Gzhel caskets (about 250 exhibits) with both traditional cobalt and multicolor paintings. Kislovodsk porcelain occupies a special place in the collection (more than 70 exhibits) - the folk art craft of the Stavropol Territory, as well as the copyright works of the masters of Stavropol. In addition to the caskets, the collection has a small collection of figurines with the image of caskets (caskets, chests).

The museum has its own library, which contains books on the history and geography of casket making, Russian folk art crafts and some European productions. A collection of postcards with the image of caskets (chests, caskets) in the interior, literary works, and paintings by famous artists has been compiled.

The museum has two nominations of the Russian Book of Records:

1) The museum’s collection is registered in the category “The largest private collection of caskets - 1950 pieces from 93 countries of the world”, diploma dated June 25, 2014 ^[3] ;

2) The World of Caskets Museum is registered in the First Casket Museum category, diploma of November 14, 2014 (this nomination is uncontested).

Opening of the World of Boxes Museum, September 27, 2014

The World of Boxes Museum, Green Hall

Museum "World of Boxes", blue (children) hall