5- Day The Blacksmith`s Workshop of Bukhara

   Today is the  5-day of  our  practice  lessons. Today  we  visited 

THE BLACKSMITH`S WORKSHOP 

that  has  risen  to  a  level  of  national  value  that  has passed  down  from  generation  to  generation

The  BLACKSMITH`S  WORKSHOP

 The Blacksmith History Forge Museum is a short walk north of the Toqi Telpak Furushon Bazaar on Khakikat Street. The museum is located in the Kulyuta karavansarai which was built in the 16th century. Admission is free, and it is a rare treat to see a working blacksmith. Photos/Videos can be taken and you can stroll through the workshop to view finished goods and the tools of the blacksmith. The most impressive area is the urn shaped hearth with white handles, which had a fire inside. 

The blacksmith was working on a knife, and using his hammer to straighten it on the anvil. The sound of the hammer on the anvil and the smoky atmosphere made the shop feel as if it was transported back into ancient times. There were quite a few finished product hanging on the walls to view. We spent 15 minutes here and tried to stay away from the work area of the black smith whilst enjoying the experience. If you continue walking north on exiting the museum, several shops on the right have beautiful knives and metal craft.

The museum was opened in 1992, and is the only museum of this type in Uzbekistan. This is a must see as you are walking through the old city.

THE  BLACKSMITH  DYNASTY

One of the main activities of the Bukhara museum-preserve is to revive and support traditional Bukharan handicraft. 

In 1992, the blacksmiths' museum-workshop, the only one of its type in Uzbekistan, was set up in the 16th - century Kulyuta karavansarai.

The museum-workshop is a living museum. Not only could one learn there the history of the ancient blacksmith's craft, but also participate in making blacksmith products.

Usto Shokir Kamolov, who comes of a family of blacksmiths, is the senior researcher of the museum.

The museum-workshop has swords, knives, arrow-heads, and craftsmen's instruments. The exhibits of major interest are "Risola," blacksmiths' rules (19th c.), chain- mail (17th c.), a warrior's outfit (17th c.), and bellows (17th c.).

SHAVKIDDIN  KAMALOV

Shavkiddin Kamalov

Uzbekistan/

Metal

Elaborate and rich designs of ancient knives

Shavkiddin Kamalov lives and works in the ancient city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, where, since childhood, he learned his family’s historic occupation of blacksmithing. In addition to his bustling workshop, Shavkiddin, together with his relatives, operates the Blacksmith’s Museum in the neighborhood of Kulyuta Caravansarai, with the aim of preserving Bukharan handicrafts. There, visitors can not only learn the history of the ancient blacksmith’s craft, but also participate in making their own metal items.

The history of blacksmithing in Uzbekistan spans hundreds of generations of expert craftsmen. In addition to the manufacture of utilitarian tools, Shavkiddin and his team of artisans produce items which have both practical and aesthetic applications. These include scissors with elaborately configured bird forms. When the user opens up the scissors to cut something, the bird’s beak becomes a set of twin blades. It’s usable artwork of the highest caliber. The artisan has also perfected the labor-intensive, ancient craft of knife-making. Gorgeously carved and sometimes inlaid wooden handles support elegantly curved, shimmering blades. Shavkiddin has said, “Life for us is an everyday search for new shapes, forms, and material to perfect and enhance our quality of work and craftsmanship.”

A sixth-generation blacksmith, he continues to break new ground with his workshop and museum. Along with his own father and two sons, Shavkiddin makes sure the integrity and rich tradition of Uzbek metallurgy will persevere for generations to come.

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