Besik (Traditional Infant Cradle)

Description

The besik is a traditional Kazakh infant cradle designed for the care and sleeping of babies. The wooden construction consists of supporting legs, arched crosspieces, and curved upper elements. Traditional features intended to facilitate infant hygiene and care are incorporated into the structure. The wooden components are predominantly painted in red and green and decorated with geometric and vegetal motifs. The upper part is supplemented with a red textile canopy. The object is of ethnographic interest as an example of traditional childcare equipment and reflects aspects of Kazakh material culture and domestic practices.
Date: 24 October 2014
Material: Wood, textile, paint
Technique: Handmade; woodworking, painting, assembly
Size: Width - 90 cm; length - 59 cm