“Silversmithing in Georgia from the 4th to the 19th Century”

Silversmithing in Georgia has a long and rich history. The earliest silver artifacts date back to the end of the Early Bronze Age, and from that period onward, artistically diverse examples of silverwork became deeply embedded in Georgian ethnographic life.

This exhibition showcases pieces from the collection of the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, part of the Georgian National Museum. The works span from the 4th to the 19th century, offering a broad chronological perspective.

The first hall presents examples of material culture discovered at various archaeological sites across Georgia — including jewelry such as pins, rings, earrings, temple pendants, bracelets, pectoral crosses, and clothing accessories.

Jewelry, as an inseparable part of daily life, reflects the cultural, social, and economic characteristics of each historical period.

The display also includes items made of gold and bronze, as well as coins from the same periods. One notable feature of the exhibition is the fresco replicas from the Simon Janashia Museum, depicting historical figures. These copies, some of which are of frescoes now severely damaged, hold the value of originals and were created by prominent Georgian artists and copyists.

Among these are portraits of kings and nobles adorned in period-appropriate costumes and jewelry, taken from frescoes in churches such as Vardzia, Betania, Lekhtagi, Martvili, Zarati, and Tsalenjikha.

The second hall features precious metalwork from the 12th to the 19th centuries, many of which are being displayed for the first time. The exhibition also includes four paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts.

Also on display are regional examples of Georgian silversmithing, including works from Svaneti, Khevsureti, Tusheti, Mtiuleti, Pshavi, Racha, Saingilo, Adjara, Akhaltsikhe, and Tbilisi itself. Especially notable are silver chalices donated to churches, whose inscriptions convey valuable historical information and context.