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Almost in all the acknowledged
classifications of art fine arts, used in its broader I sense, includes
all the spheres of artistic activity, in which this or that form of
expression is resorted to. i.e. music, theatre, choreography and others.
But we would like to speak about fine Arts in its narrower sense, which
is more exactly expressed by the term "graphic arts" trying to give a
historical-chronological survey of the main tendencies in the
development of Georgian painting, drawing and sculpture.
Concord Travel accompanies and assists you
to choose the best souvenirs, reminding your visit to Georgia.
Cloisonne Enamel
The art of cloisonne enamel is a very popular form of ornamentation in
Georgia. Those women who can afford handmade enamel pieces – they may
have one big ring, a pendant or a pair of earrings – wear them with
pride, regardless of their age or taste. This particular attitude of
Georgians to this kind of enamel dates back centuries, as Georgia is
presumed to be one of the motherlands of cloisonne culture. Enamel is
one of the oldest art forms in Eastern culture and one of its forms was
developed in ancient Egypt. From the 8th century onward it can be found
in China, while the 10th-12th centuries was considered the golden era of
cloisonne in the Byzantine Empire.
It isn’t known exactly where it originated
but cloisonne must date back to the 7th century and was probably born in
the Eastern Christian countries. The first very compositional and rich
cloisonne emerged in Georgia in the 8th century. Museum of Fine Arts has
one of the richest collections containing over 200 samples of cloisonne.
"Khakhulis Karedi" (10-11th centuries).
The Georgian samples of cloisonne are
distinguished with full freedom. The blossoming era for the cloisonne in
Georgia was in X-XII centuries. There is a significant change in its
techniques. The cloisonne implies a very complicated process. It is made
with the pure gold or with the unity of gold and silver called
"electron", on which the gold layers are being fixed. Afterwards, inside
its contours the enamel is mounded. It is connected with a very
scrupulous work.
Georgian Carpets
Would you like to get in original and exotics world? Georgia, and it's
capital Tbilisi, historically always was the route of Euro-Asia, because
exactly here, ran caravan road from Europe to Asia. This is the reason,
that Tbilisi becomes Caucasian market center.
Once, on this place, you could meet European and Asian unique cultural
masterpieces, valuable works of Iranian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese,
Central Asian and Caucasian handmade carpets, kilims, embroideries,
mafrashes, Khourdjins (saddlebags) and etc.
Since ancient times, in Caucasia there was carpet and kilim weaving
tradition, for sheep raising was widely developed. Exactly of this
animals wool were weaved carpets, kilims, clothes and other everyday
things. In ornaments and symbols of those works, Caucasian nation's
(Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijanian, Dagestanian, Chechenian ...)
history, religion and old traditions were reflected.
Nowadays, Caucasian carpets are on every continents, but it's important
to notice that in its natural form, without any falsification, and what
is more important at very real and available prices, you can meet
important at very real and available prices, you can meet them in its
homeland, Caucasia, namely in Tbilisi.
Felt
Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and
pressing fibers. The fibers form the structure of the fabric. While some
types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction
materials. Felt can be of any color, and made into any shape or size.
Felt is the oldest form of fabric known to humankind. It predates
weaving and knitting.
Silk
The "Silk Roads" have played an important role in cultural exchange and
the establishment of economic relations between East and West. It is
likely that with the help of ETN's "Silk Route" program cultural
contacts within the textile industry will be established. Although it
has always been part of European culture. Georgia has been isolated from
Europe for centuries as a result of political conditions. Every
opportunity for displaying Georgian culture or treasures is therefore
most welcome to us.
Georgia established trade relations
with the Far East early. The northern part of the "Silk Route" crossed
its territory. The importance of the Egrisi towns to this traffic was
well-known in the early Hellenistic period and also later in tile 5th -
6th centuries.
Tiny fragments of silk fabric have been found in Georgian burial grounds
of the 2nd - 4th centuries. As they have not been studied from the point
of view of weaving technique, it is difficult to determine their origin.
It is interesting to note that in Georgia. on the banks of the river
Mtkvari and elsewhere, certain endemic species of mulberry trees were
wide-spread. All this leads one to believe that Georgia has long been
acquainted with silk. According to legend, silk culture was introduced
to Georgia from India and is connected with the 5th century Georgian
King Vakhtang Gorgasali. |