Case for a tea bowl (piala)

Description

Due to the nomadic lifestyle, Kazakhs originally made their utensils only from leather and wood. This was due to the need for unbreakable containers for storing food and cooking. One such household item is the kesekap. Kesekap is a case for storing cups, resembling a pouch for utensils. Such containers were made by folk craftsmen so that glass bowls would not break during migrations. Cups were stored and transported in them. Craftsmen decorated leather products by embossing patterns on the leather under high pressure, as well as applying metal plates and embossed sheets. Like felt products, leather, metal, and fabrics were adorned with attractive patterns and ornaments. The museum’s kesekap specimen has a cylindrical shape with a lid. It is covered with leather, lined inside with fabric, and the base is made of wood. The kesekap is decorated with embossed metal, silver elements, and blue stones.