The Russian Mennonite Furniture Tradition Mennonites had a tradition of interesting hand made folk furniture. After several hundred years of social isolation and close community, Mennonite furniture evolved into several standard pieces with almost identical designs from village to village in Russia. These were known by their Plautdietsch names: Akjschaup – a wall mounted corner cabinet Bad, or Loage – a pull-out bed Desch – a table Glasschaup – a china cabinet with glazed doors Kjleedaschaup – a wardrobe Kjist – a dowry chest Miaschaup – a wall corner cabinet Ruebenkj – a settee, literally, a resting bench Schlopbenkj – a pull-out sleeping settee Stool – a chair Waej – an infant cradle In the houses of the wealthy land-owners furniture was often beautifully inlaid. In the homes of the poorer agrarian villagers, furniture was painted and faux grained to look like inlaid work. On top of this graining colorful flowers and verses were sometimes painted, as well. |







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