In Lesvos fretwork has been developed as a
traditional art because of the plethora of wood and particularly olive tree and
chestnut tree wood is widely used.
The craftsmen construct ecclesiastical objects like artistic temples,
iconostasis and other objects strictly for
the internal decoration of churches.
In parallel fretwork is expanded to the decoration of the Lesvian house ( at the
so-called "sachnisinia" - wooden balconies characteristic of
the traditional Lesvian house - roofs, doors, stairs ) and of course the
furniture.
Even today the wooden chest or "Kassela" decorate the Lesvian house. The decorative motives are derived from - like in ceramics - from the Byzantine tradition and the nature.
Today, the visitor of Lesvos can admire fretwork at Folk Art Museums and he can
also visit the workshops in Ayiassos where the tradition of fretwork is still
today alive.