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#kazakhstan #culturalheritage #jewelry

-Script-
Kazakh jewelcrafting was developing based on ancient traditions, by interacting with contiguous nations. Jewelcrafting, unlike the other kinds of Kazakh applied arts that took the form of domestic handicrafts, was professional, what was predeterminded by the specific of this craft. Kazakh jewelers – Zergers (zer-zar in translation from Persian – Gold) worked individually, their mastery was inherited.
Kazakh jewelers created their crafts in decorative and applied way. Metal, silver and gold were being bought on bazaars of Central Asia and Eastern Turkistan.
Archeological discoveries of Kazakhstan attest of ancient jeweler’s skill. Famous Chiliktian products, made with stamping, engraving, granulation and incrustation techniques (VII – V century B.C.), unique gravesite of ancient warrior (“Golden Warrior”), whose apparel is decorated with golden plates and plaques with animal pictures (VI –V century B.C.) in Issyk city of Almaty Region. Ancient Berelian masters, that left behind best samples of “animal style” impress with their art. (IV century B.C.)
Traditional knowledge of jewelers is being transmitted from master to apprentice, to pupils. Bright representative of the Zerger dynasty – Daulet Shokparov lives in Almaty Region, in Akshi village. He is one of several generations of their family’s masters. Nowadays, Daulet continues his ancestors’ work by keeping traditional crafts.
I am Daulet Darkenbayuly Chokparov, I have been doing this craft since early childhood, because my father was famous master in Kazakhstan. I spent my childhood working with father, helping him, handing him instruments, cleaning the workshop – it’s how I got carried away with this. There was the place I learn the basis of handicraft. In the father’s workshop I learned the names and the history of jewelry. We were visited by people from different parts of Kazakhstan, they ordered our products, and that was the time when from adult’s conversations I learn about subtleties of handicraft and understood that this profession is not just interesting, but also very difficult. It had important role in choosing my future work. Now I’m doing this, promote it, there is a museum named after my father – the museum of art. I not only lead this museum, but also tutoring pupils in museum’s workshop.
My name is Bekbolat Nurdanbekuly. I’m in jewelcrafting since 1999 year. All my works are handmade – it’s how I continue our ancestors’ work. Ring I’m making right now is called “Bird’s beak”. It’s made from pure silver. Then it should be decorated with different gems, silver should be put on a wire and twisted. I’ve already done, now I’m going to insert jewels. I’m doing this since -99 year. As I say – I went to college in 2002 year and became the student of master Darkenbay and still doing this from that moment. Now I’m going to put in jewels. I’ll use different noble stones, for example agate gem. Our grandmothers wore these ones. They called “Bird’s beak”. However, this art itself is being inherited from one generation to another. Masters’ work is keeping its’ history even nowadays. Everyone wants to wear traditional jewelry. There, we’re done. Such jewelry was being worn by our forefathers, grandmothers, brides. They were being used as talismans. They were protecting from jinx. These are all handmade, no modern technologies were used. It’s called “Bird’s beak”.
For the true Zerger it’s not enough just to learn the techniques of jewelcrafting – they must feel every piece that gives uniqueness, refinement to whole product with their heart and soul.
Jewelcrafting is being inherited from generation to generation. I inherited it from my father, he did it from his father. Grandfather was glorified master. This craft, you could say, is in our bloodline. We teach growing generations this craft in our museum’s workshop, we develop it and that’s the way we want to transfer in to our descendants. It’s the way of keeping our culture, I think.
The specific feature of Kazakh jewelry is their monumental stature and almost sculptural expressiveness that is kept even in small shapes, symmetry in pattern placing, rhythmic alternation of pattern and background. Kazakh jewelers always skillfully highlighted the beauty of metal.
I am Madi Tlepbergen. I have been working in this workshop for almost 5 years. Here we craft different jewelry for young girls, brides. Our ancestors have been doing it from time immemorial. I study this art from my teacher – Daulet. Jewelcrafting requires patience and endurance. Every piece of jewelry has its’ own meaning, the reason it’s being worn. Some jewelry also take age into account. Our traditional craft is being interested for me since my childhood, today I make different jewelry using traditional methods.

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