In 1987 this item was brought to us in a trunk from Helen Takesian of Tuscon, AZ. This carved wooden tea and coffee box tells the story of her grandfather, Krikor Melkonian, a well-known merchant that took up the hobby of wood carving. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells a beautiful story of how coins hidden in his daughters’ braids began this hobby and saved his life!