Crafts
Chased-copper:
The rich and diversified applied art of Uzbekistan holds a special place for
copper chasing - the art of decorating metal items in relief. The continuity of
traditions, from century to century, has developed copper-chasing art specifically
aesthetic principles and high standard of artistic performance. More often than
not, caper-chasing items in metal, which were in great demand, served as a
source of disseminating new ideas and new methods of artistic expression, thus
enriching local tradition with the best achievements in the art of neighboring
countries.
Local artisans created embossed work
in various metals - gold, silver, copper,
bronze
Wood carving:
Wood is one of the noblest materials nature has given to men. Already at the
dawn of history men built houses and household utensils of wood. And it was in
those old days that the art of wood - carving began to emerge.
A logical question suggests itself, however: how could this type of decorative
art appear in Uzbekistan, a country so poor in forest? The reason was precisely
the high value and short-age of wood. The attitude to it was always very
attentive, which led to its careful artistic processing.
Wood of the finest varieties of trees
is used for wood carving in Uzbekistan:
walnut, plane, karagach (a kind of alms) juniper, mulberry, popular and
enriched with new forms of household utensils, by a modern interpretation of
ornamental motives, the ancient art of wood-carving continues to live on and
develop. The use of carved wood in the household embraces a wide range of
objects - from furniture to small decorative articles - caskets, needle - cases,
book stands, wall plates, which we offer as national Uzbek souvenirs
Blacksmith Craft:
It isn't surprising that the periods of history are referred to by the name of
metals: The Iron Age, Copper Age and Bronze Age. Men have been processing metal
for their use since the dawn of recoded history.
Archeologists have recoded many items in Bukhara, which confirm the ancient
origins of this craft in this timeless old city.
Abu Raykhon Biruni wrote in the 10th century, that Bukharan
blacksmiths worked
with four kinds of metal. The development of the smiting craft affected growth
of agriculture and many other industries in the region.
In the 19th century there were dozens of blacksmith's workshops in Bukhara,
which later disappeared.
Currently, there are about 40 blacksmiths still working here, creating hand-made
knives and scissors, hoes, shovels, sickles and special tools for other
craftsmen.
Weaving:
Bukhara is situated on the "silk road", an ancient trade route that connected
Central Asia with Byzantiya, China and the major trading countries in the west.
The people of Central Asia did not limit themselves to simple trading, but
actively participated in the production of goods, in the particular products of
silk weaving,
In the second half of the XIX century various plain and patterned hand-made
cotton fabrics, silk and semi-silk cloths with simple and intricate interlacing
were made in Margilan, Namangan, Bukhara, Andijan, Samarkand, Kitab and Urgut.
Wool, flax, cotton and silk were used as raw materials in Central Asia.
They were used to adorn dwelling and make clothes. Especially renowned was thick velvet made of cotton and silk- bakhmal, moire' corded materials - adras,
bekasab and banoras, delicate and light silk kerchiefs -kalgai, rustling and
playing shokhi - kanaus, atlas, yakruaya and khanatlas, which were of unique
beauty, original in contrast and harmony of coloring.
The most attractive thing in Uzbek fabrics is the beauty of their colors and the
pure dyes, which are applied, in delicate combinations.
Jewelry:
A characteristic feature of the East, Uzbekistan in particular, is affection for
luxurious jewelry.
According to old traditions, an Uzbek girl, even as a baby received from her
grandmother a gift - a tiny bracelet and ear rings. All the later life of an
Uzbek woman was connected with jewelry. As a rule, women wore forehead and
chest decoration, earrings, bracelet, beads, and pendants for the plaits.
Today it is difficult to meet woman in Uzbekistan without earrings, bracelet,
rings or beads in her attire.
Master-zargar, made articles basically of silver and gold, which was more
uncommonly used, combing precious metals with various sparkling gem; rubies,
emeralds, sapphires, such semi-precious, lusterless and opaque jewels (bright
and rich in tone) as pearls, torques, cornelian, jasper and corals, as well as
brilliant multi-stained glass, mastic beads - which were widely used since the
second half of the XIX century.
Diverse are the methods of traditional metal working, used since olden days by
zargar - Uzbek jewelers: cutting, smiting, casting, chasing, engraving, plated
and gilding, inlaid work, blackening and enamellings.
Each of the major center of jewelry - Bukhabin/header.jpg">Your browserra, Tashkent, Khoresm, Samarkand,
Kokand, Marghilan and Andijan - was known for its particular forms of jewelry,
for the materials used, ornaments and technique.
Ceramics:
In Uzbekistan ceramics hold a prominent place among the numerous forms of
popular applied art. The first specimen of earthenware discovered in the
republic go back to antique, and in all times the finest pieces of fancy ceramic
articles brought to light with uncommon expressiveness and laconism the genuine
traits of the creative genius of the people.
In the course of the last of 110-150 years ceramics has centered in Gizhduvan,
Shakhrisabs, Samarkand, Tashkent, Rishtan and Khoresm. In recent decades the
ceramists of Gizhduvan won fame.
The village of Gizhduvan is famous for it's centuries-old part of ceramics.
During the time of the Great Silk Route, he rich and diversified all caravans and travelers going to and
from Bukhara stayed overnight in this village. Many people came tf
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from all over Central Asia to study the art of ceramics and to become masters.
The Gizhduvan School of ceramics is characterized by the prevalent use of brown
coloring as a background with yellow-green glazed hues as accent. The
ornamentation of clay dishes and plates consists of mainly floral pattern,
incorporating images of big flowers, leaves, and various rosettes, and some use
of geometric patterns. The Gizhduvan style of ornamentation is unique and is not
influenced by other school in the area.
Carpets:
"Lay out your carpet, and I will see what is in your heart", they say in the
East.
The traditions of popular carpets weaving in Uzbekistan are very ancient. And
arise from the creative search of many generations. Carpets, mainly woven by
numerous home-workers in the rural areas, are perfect in technique and design.
Popular master of art keep up the fine artistic traditions and develop them.
The great Silk Road laid along many towns of Central Asia. Thanks to it there
was a lively trade of carpets along the Great Silk Road. The Bukhara markets
sold the best carpet. The carpet trade, which existed in Central Asia since
ancient times, satisfied not only internal needs but carpets were also exported
tp many other countries of the world.
In the 13 th century, the famous traveler Marco Polo described the Turmen
carpets: "They make bare the finest and most beautiful carpets in the world."
The main ornament of carpets is abstract, geometrical patterns with stylistic
vegetable motifs.
White, gray and black sheep's wool was used to make the carpets, which was
usually cut in spring. Sometimes Producers used silk and cotton threads.
Up to the turn of the XX century weaving carpets was exclusively the domestic
crafts of women living in rural areas. Although the demand for carpets was
stable and high among the urban population, they were not made in towns and
cities.
However weaving carpets by hand at home still remains a popular occupation among
the inhabitants of Uzbekistan.
Embroidery:
Embroidery holds a special place on the popular art of Uzbekistan. Supplementing
other kinds of architectural and decorative art such as gunch (plaster) and wood-carving, embroidered articles widely adorned
the dwellings and small household
articles. Embroidery was practiced on a large scale on everyday and holiday
dress. Local artistic styles took shape. In the XIX century Bukhara, Nurata,
Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Jizak, Tashkent, Pskent and Fergana were major centers
of embroidery. Worthy of mention is that embroidery was exclusively a woman's
art.
Gold-embroidery:
Embroidery in gold extensively developed in Bukhara in the XIX century. The
magnificent articles of the Emir's court and the custom of presenting robes of
great value - led to orders being placed on large scale. In the XIX and early XX
centuries gold embroidery in Bulhara was mainly done on velvet, chamois leather
and wool, seldom on silk. Unlike simple embroidery, gold-embroidery was
performed solely by men, as a popular belief stated that the golden thread would
turn black if a woman touched it.
The masters of Bukhara used different gold and silver thread. In recent years
they have created beautiful design for skullcaps, and embroidered vests, girdles
and fancy-bags.
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