The circular shield is made of two engraved steel concentric rings and two overlapping cross shapes in the centre, which are attached to the leather background. The surface is decorated with silver and gold (in the centre) inlay called Damascening technique. Having a protective function, the encircled cross motives are extensively used as ornamental décors of the shield. This type of shield is typical of Georgia’s Eastern Mountainous regions and particularly to Khevsureti.
Height 3 cm
Diameter 37 cm
©Teimuraz Jalaghania
©Rusudan Barnovi
©Rusudan Barnovi
©Rusudan Barnovi
Teimuraz Jalaghania
- Knife maker
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Master Artisan
- Recommended by Georgian Heritage Crafts Association
Contact
Georgian
Hours:
By appointment only
By appointment only
Phone:
+995 511192111
+995 511192111
©Lasha Adamashvili
Master of Caucasian arms
- • Teimuraz has been making traditional arms for more than 35 years
- • He mostly works on damascene decorations
- • He teaches to ensure his craft survives for future generations
Born in 1939, Master Teimuraz Jalaghania has been practising the craft of Damascening for more than 35 years. Following his great interest in weapons, he began collecting and restoring antique Caucasian weapons since childhood. “I’ve been fascinated with this craft since early childhood. As kids, we used to play war games at the Narikala Fortress in Old Tbilisi with homemade wooden guns. I enjoyed tinkering, and this is how I gradually moved from wood to metal.” Later, he met Master Guram Gabashvili, who revitalised the tradition of Damascening in Georgia. Working as his apprentice for some time, Teimuraz became a skilful Master of gold and silver inlay. Today, in his workshop, located at the spectacular Old Bath district in Tbilisi, he teaches his apprentices, in order to ensure the transmission of this precious tradition to future generations.
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: ©Rusudan Barnovi
Shield
Photo: ©Rusudan Barnovi
Caucasian sword
The blade of the dagger is single-edged, hand forged of steel with one main fuller. The scabbard and handle are made of the lamb leather and engraved steel, decorated with silver inlay. The overall style of the intricate floral decoration of silver inlay – called Damascening is typical to Caucasian swords. The Damascening process involves cutting a pattern into the substrate metal, ensuring that the sides are undercut. Then the metal to be inlaid is cut to fit into the pattern and hammered into place.
Length 105 cm
Width 5 cm
Photo: ©Rusudan Barnovi
Dagger with silver niello
The blade of the dagger is double-edged, hand forged of steel with three fullers. The scabbard and handle are made of the engraved steel, silver niello in engraved steel. The handle is decorated with silver niello. The overall style of the intricate floral decoration is typical of Caucasian weapons.
Length 55 cm
Width 7 cm
Photo: ©Rusudan Barnovi
Dagger with golden inlay
The blade of the dagger is double-edged, hand forged of steel with four fullers. The scabbard and handle are made of the engraved steel, decorated with gold inlay (24-kt gold – 999) called Damascening in steel and Mammoth bone details. The overall style of the intricate floral decoration of gold inlay is typical to Caucasian weapons. The Damascening process involves cutting a pattern into the substrate metal, ensuring that the sides are undercut. Then the metal to be inlaid is cut to fit into the pattern and hammered into place. The technique is highly labour-intensive taking up to ten months to complete this piece of work.
Length 53 cm
Width 5.5 cm
Photo: ©Rusudan Barnovi
Dagger with silver niello
The blade of the dagger is double-edged, hand forged of steel with three fullers. The scabbard and handle are made lamb leather and buffalo horn and are adorned with details of the engraved steel and silver niello. The handle is decorated with silver inlay. The overall style of the intricate floral decoration are typical of Caucasian weapons.
Length 55 cm
Width 56.5 cm
You may also like
Organised by
Under the high patronage of
In partnership with
