The tulip chest is a wooden box in which the dowry was brought and kept. In Transylvania and the Hungarian cultural sphere this box is very lively decorated with floral motifs, especially the tulip. However the origins of this motif in folk culture is still not clear, it is known that it was cultivated for the first time in the Ottoman court, spreading from there to other parts of Europe.
The inlayed tulip rests on the inside of the chest, putting emphasis on interiorised cultural values, rather than extroverted ones. Its lid cannot be closed, therefore stands the flower visible and proud.
The work was made during the 9th Pulzus Art Camp in Udvarhely/Odorheiu Secuiesc, organised by Imre Berze.