Treshchotka / Трещотка

The treshchotka is a traditional folk percussion instrument. The word treshchotka comes from the root tresk, which means to rattle. There are two types of treshchotka, the plate treshchotka (plastinchataya) and the circular treshchotka (kruglaya). 

Plate treshchotki are made from 15-20 oak planks that are strung together with rope. Small pieces of wood are placed between each board so they are not right next to each other. Sometimes there are bells attached to each side.

Circular treshchotki are held by a handle. Attached to the handle there is a small wooden box. One side of the box has a wooden or metal toothed insert that is hit by a wooden plate when the handle is turned. You can either spin the box around by the handle or hold the box and turn the handle.

Although there are no known documents that describe the treshchotka in ancient Russia, an archeological excavation of Novogorod in 1992 unearthed boards which were thought to be parts of a 12th century Novgorodian treshchotka. 

Fun fact! A chatty person can be referred to as a treshchotka.