Home furnishings

Period

19th and 20th centuries

Number of Cases

2700

The collection represents a set of objects that are an expression of the culture of housing primarily on the soil of Serbia, but it also includes objects from the wider Balkans.

These items are key to understanding the basic models that still live today as cultural heritage and influence contemporary housing culture. One part of the collection consists of valuable examples of folk art. Over time, objects from the urban lifestyle also entered the collection of furniture.

The collection consists of several units that reflect key aspects of the dwelling, such as collections of objects related to the hearth, a collection of coffins or a collection of objects in the function of lighting. On the other hand, there are objects related to the comfort of living in the furniture collection, but also objects related to symbolic activities and religious beliefs, such as icon arches or lamp stands.

The collection of furniture includes over 2,700 museum objects.

The curator in charge of the collection is Dr. Miloš Matić, museum advisor: milos.matic@etnografskimuzej.rs

Door beam – preklad

Inv. No. 9092

Chest

Inv. No. 25609

Chest

Inv. No. 6952

Chair

Inv. No. 35564

Cradle

Inv. No. 8685

Wardrobe

Inv. No. 12865

Lantern

Inv. No. 4158

Long dining table – sofra

Inv. No. 633

Iconostasis

Inv. No. 27974

Washing machine

Inv. No. 51225

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Door beam – preklad

Inv. No. 9092

Door beam (preklad) was used for storing firewood next to the hearth and also as a support for a spit when preparing food. It is made of iron, shaped like a horse, reflecting the craftsmanship of the blacksmith and the decorative value of the object. It features hooks at the front and back for placing the spit, while the rear ends in a square extension that provided stability and functionality.

Priština, Kosovo, Serbia
Second half of the 19th century

Chest

Inv. No. 25609

The chest is made of wood and metal, shaped like a trapezoid. Each side is crafted from a single piece of wood and reinforced with metal fittings. It closes with a key and two latches secured with padlocks. The chest served as a traveling cashbox for the merchant Miloje Vasić during his journeys.

Gornji Milanovac, Central Serbia
Second half of the 19th century

Chest

Inv. No. 6952

Chest made of wood. Each side features a metal ring handle. It was used for storing clothing and household textiles.

Golubac, Eastern Serbia
1910

Chair

Inv. No. 35564

It stands on four legs, with the two front legs forming the armrests and the two back legs forming the backrest. This type of chair was usually reserved for the head of the household or an esteemed guest.

Berane, Northern Montenegro
Late 19th century

Cradle

Inv. No. 8685

Made of beech and fir wood. The cradle features two rectangular sides and a headboard. At the head is an arched handle known as a lubak.

Štava, Kuršumlija, Southern Serbia
circa 1930

Wardrobe

Inv. No. 12865

The wardrobe is painted black and has two doors. The decorations are arranged on the doors within two red panels, featuring red and yellow flowers. Between these panels, on a black background, the same bouquet is depicted. Above the doors is the inscription “19.Turčin.Zuza.09.” The meaning of this inscription remains unclear.

Selenča, Southern Banat, Serbia
1909

Lantern

Inv. No. 4158

The sides of the lantern are made of glass. At the bottom, a tin funnel is attached, designed to hold a candle whose smoke escapes through a circular opening at the top of the lantern. It was used for lighting the way.

Prijepolje, southwestern Serbia
1910

Long dining table – sofra

Inv. No. 633

The sofra is a low wooden dining table, made of linden wood. It consists of four circular segments, each decorated with engraved concentric circles. In the center of each circle, a stylized flower is carved.

Stenjevac, Resavica, central Serbia
late 19th century

Iconostasis

Inv. No. 27974

The iconostasis is shaped like a rectangular chest with two compartments, made of fir wood. Candles were placed in the upper section, while the lower section held an incense burner, incense, and small coffee cups (filđani). It was positioned on the eastern wall of the room.

Akmačić, Nova Varoš, southwestern Serbia
1926

Washing machine

Inv. No. 51225

The machine was used for washing laundry and also features a manual wringing mechanism. On the front of the machine, there are two plastic buttons—one for heating and one for the motor. The manufacturer is AEG. The exhibited model is from 1948.

Belgrade, Serbia
Mid-20th century