ORNAMENTAL MOTIFS OF GLAZED CERAMICS FROM KUTAISI
Authors:   LEPL Niko Berdzenishvili Kutaisi State Historical Museum, Kartsidze Nona , Ugrekhelidze Irina , Sarava Nino , Sulaberidze Davit 
Published: January 2025

A monograph prepared based on the results of the research carried out within the framework of the project “Stages of development of glazed ceramic ornament and its scientific cataloging (Grant No. FR-21-8738)”. The research was carried out at the LEPL N. Berdzenishvili Kutaisi State Historical Museum.

Man began making ceramic vessels and painting them with intricate ornaments in prehistoric times, and since then this activity has become an integral part of his life. The foundation for covering ceramic vessels with glaze has been laid since time immemorial. Its history spans millennia. The development of this field in Georgia is mainly associated with the Middle Ages (VIII-XVIII centuries). In this regard, the territory of the city of Kutaisi is no exception, as evidenced by the very interesting fragments and artifacts of glazed ceramics discovered during archaeological expeditions led by Professor Omar Lanchava in 1984-2010 years. These materials are valuable in that they can provide a clear answer to many questions related to the problem of identifying analogies and characteristic features of glazed ceramics, the study of historical, cultural, and socio-economic relations with near and far abroad, etc. The collection includes materials made by local craftsmen as well as materials brought from other regions; in addition, there are samples molded on the basis of foreign traditions. Despite the diversity of the collection, the traditions of glazed ceramics production in the territory of the city of Kutaisi and the history of its development have not yet been sufficiently represented in scientific literature; the ornamental decor of ceramics with historical and ethnographic references, aspects of its artistic and stylistic development, traces of foreign influences, etc. have also been poorly studied. In this regard, the Kutaisi collection is considered a rich source. Here are fragments of pottery, which were decorated with various ornamental motifs – geometric (lobes, rings, concentric circles, ovals), floral (stylized leaves, flowers, branches, curls); floral-geometric; Zoological (various birds, fishes, wild animals), abstract compositions and various symbols (religious, solar disk and dragon). The mentioned ornaments have significant artistic and scientific value. From here, we consider it a worthwhile task to study and analyze the stages of early development and introduce them into scientific discourse.

Within the scope of the above-mentioned project, the history of glazed ceramics production was elucidated through the analysis of the remains of ceramic workshops and glazed artifacts found as a result of archaeological research in the Kutaisi region, in particular, in the territory of the Kutaisi Fortress and the city; structural-typological analysis and grouping of ornamental decor; Analysis of its historical and artistic transformation from the earliest epoch – through comparison with the ornamentation of ceramics of neighboring regions and the search for parallels on other monuments (monumental and miniature painting, stone reliefs, embossed icons, decorative enamel, textiles). An unofficial article and report for symposia – both in Georgia and abroad – were prepared and published by the project authors:

Kartsidze N., Lanchava O., Ugrekhelidze I., Sulaberidze D., Sarava N. (2023). Artifacts Reflecting the Traditions of Producing Glazed Ceramics from the Kutaisi Historical Museum. Proceedings of Georgian National Academy of Sciences, series of History, Archaeology, Ethnology and Art History, no. 2, pp. 128-138.

Kartsidze N. G., Ugrekhelidze I. I., Sarava N. D., Sulaberidze D. N. (2024). Glazed ceramic vessel with the image of a bird from the Kutaisi Historical Museum. Global science: prospects and innovations. Proceedings of the 7th International scientific and practical conference. Liverpool, United Kingdom.: Cognum Publishing House, pp. 414-420.

Kartsidze N., Ugrekhelidze I., Sarava N., & Sulaberidze D. (2024). For the Decoration of Kutaisi Glazed Ceramics. "Modern Research in Science and Education" Proceedings of VII International Scientific and Practical Conference. Chicago, 342-349.

Sarava N., Kartsidze N., Ugrekhelidze I. (2024). Kutaisi Glazed Ceramics with Epigraphical Ornament. International Scientific Conference [in print].

Ugrekhelidze I., Kartsidze N., Sarava N., & Sulaberidze D. (2024). Glazed Ceramics with Epigraphical Ornament from Kutaisi Historical Museum. Золотоордынское обозрение [in print].

It is these publications that formed the basis of this work. We hope that it will be of interest to specialists and the general public interested in cultural heritage. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia for supporting the project, as well as to the host organization and colleagues, without whose help it would have been difficult to successfully carry out the research.