The Magic of Gijduvon Ceramics and Suzani showcased at a unique exhibition

These days the attention of art connoisseurs and tourists is attracted by the unique exhibition taking place in the State Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan. The exposition contains ceramic items and samples of embroidery by the Narzullayevs whose history counts two centuries, and illustrates that the folk art being the genuine basis of any professional skill, not only widely preserved but also has all opportunities to flourish in Uzbekistan.

The Narzullayevs are the creative and talented masters, worthy successors of centuries-old traditions of a big and already world famous dynasty. Today their products successfully exposed in republican and international exhibitions serve as the decoration for the museum and private collections in various countries of the world.

It is of a great significance that it is possible to see in the exhibition not only works, but also the continuity of the generations that is visually represented there. The younger representatives of the dynasty demonstrate their skills right in the hall.

“From my early childhood I was fond of making ceramic penny whistles and embroidery. And thanks to it, I mastered two types of applied art. I am engaged in these crafts for eleven years,” says Dilnoza Narzullayeva, the representative of the younger, the seventh generation of the family. “Along with it, I perfect both my practical skills and theory. My study of art history and management at the Kamoliddin Behzod National Institute of Art and Design of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan has become a good help in that. I am the graduate of this Institute. Acquisition of new knowledge allowed me to find a perfect match of ceramics and sewing that are our family’s traditional professional skills.”

“The Uzbek whistle of clay is the integral element of the spiritual culture of the people,” she continues. “At far past and Middle Ages it served as the original musical instrument allocated with magic properties. Yet in the early 20th century the figured whistles were used during the national ceremonies and rituals, for instance, in the spring holiday Navruz. Whistles were always children’s favorite toys. It was also considered that blowing any melody on a whistle could bring well-being and happiness in the house. It is interesting that ceramic rattles were also used for this purpose. Our family manufacture rattles as well as along with ceramic bowls. Embroidery was used for decorating rather various things - large wall panels, curtains and even handles for coppers and insoles for footwear. All items skillfully embroidered by women’s hands became stylish and brought delight to people.

It is necessary to note that masterpieces created by the Narzullayev dynasty masters possess all the riches of ornaments, subtlety and grace of their creation, especially floral-vegetative motifs. These works demonstrate the high mastery of décor performance and artistic expressiveness.

And today, talented and skilled instructors, national masters-ceramists, brothers Abdullo and Alisher Narzullayev – apprentices of their father Usto Ibodullo Narzullayev (1926-1987), the master of embroidery Mustabshira Barakayeva, and young, yet successfully working, and absolutely young, yet strive for studying and mastering the skills, bear their art through centuries, passing over the secrets of the crafts from generation to generation. Honoring ancient national traditions, masters revive them embodying in their products.