wood, metal, horn, paint, 675 x 417 x 103 mm

labelled (in Russian) with Kremlin depicted reverse

1998.60.125 Castle 194

In the 1960s the opportunity to import instruments to add to the collection was restricted due to the prevailing import license controls. At the time the total amount available to individuals to import goods was around £13.

The Castles received a reply from the Russian Ministry of Culture agreeing in principle to help then locate items for the collection.

They wrote to the Prime Minister to ask if they could have the total of the license from the Minister of Customs increased to £100 to obtain instruments from Russia.

The Castle’s collection contains two balalaikas. This tourist instrument seems to be the result of their efforts to locate item form Russia.