 Hundreds of years have passed since the first enamel jewelry was made. During this time, designers created enamel jewelry inspired by previous enamellers. However, in their enamel artistry, they not only used the past experience but also incorporated their own innovations and ideas. Each period has greatly shaped the enamel craftsmanship. It’s interesting to learn about the history of enamel jewelry and different trends that characterized each period. Egypt (4000-345 BC)
Byzantine Enamel Jewelry (395-1453) Thanks to the knowledge and experience from the ancient Egypt, the enamel technology has improved greatly and reached its height in the 4th century during the Byzantine time, using mainly blue coating. During this period enamel jewelry became more gorgeous and popular even in Europe. After that, copper enamel jewelry replaced gold, hence reducing manufacturing costs. Renaissance (14-17th Century)
Rococo (18th Century) Asymmetric forms and bright colors were dominant during the Rococo period. New Art Movement (19th Century) The end of the 19th century marks the beginning of the cultural exchange and interaction between the western civilizations and China. Craftsmen started exploring new motives, mainly nature with all its components. That’s why it doesn’t come as a surprise that a lot of enamel jewelry was made based on motives of nature.
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 If you are the one who is looking forward to explore the culture of the small country, located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, this blog is directly for you. Right in the middle of Georgia there is a small settlement Tserovani, where every visitor can enjoy the traditional culture and long-lasting history, to become a part and fall in love with Georgia even more. Little About Internally Displaced Artists Just about 10 years ago this little village, with the same-size houses, didn’t even exist, but in 2008, after Russian occupation, 8000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) were settled. It was a long period of dark hours, but unexpectedly enamel art became the solution. First, IDPs began to study this kind of art and then, after the hard work and strong will, first enamel studio Ikorta has opened. Enamel art became their source to share their story, thoughts, pain and joy to people. This became a motivation for others. Artists began creating jewelry, also they began to teach visitors enamel art. Meanwhile, Tserovani and Ikorta became a desired place to visit, attend the workshop they provide and explore enamel art with its whole taste. Little About Enamel Art It is remarkable, that the art of Georgian cloisonne enamel has no less than 1200 years of existence. It is the ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, mostly used for jewellery and small fittings for clothes, weapons or similar small objects decorated with geometric designs, with thick cloison walls. The largest enamelled work of art in the world - Khakhuli triptych was made by Georgian and Byzantine enamel artists. Fortunately, Georgia cloisonne enamel art is still trendy - old technologies with modern attitude became the next stage for Georgian enamel art to spread So here is where journey begins... Tourists, who are looking for an intercultural experience in art and also enjoy DIY are often attending special Enamel Jewelry workshops at Ikorta. They become time travelers with enamel artists, people, who have lost everything and found their path again, full of motivation and hope. Artists tell the history of ancient art and culture of Georgia. Visitors make their own jewelry and find bliss and joy, while participating in a unique cultural exchange. They feel connected to the Georgian culture, which becomes an unforgettable life-long memory.
 Almost everything in Georgian culture is related to centuries-old history. So, if you desire more involvement in the culture while visiting Georgia, try to prepare a Georgian dish or handmade crafts, which will create unforgettable memories. Do you wonder what is worth trying and what will become a heartwarming memory? Then follow us!  Georgian Cloisonne Enamel Art Georgian traditional cloisonne enamel art is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, mostly used for jewellery and small fittings for clothes, weapons or similar small objects decorated with geometric designs, with thick cloison walls. The Khakhuli triptych, a large gold altarpiece with over 100 Georgian and Byzantine plaques, dating from the 8th to 12th centuries, is said to be the largest enamelled work of art in the world. Nowadays, Georgian enamel art is still popular and you can make your own jewelry in special studios and, besides being fun and relaxing to make, it is one of the best ways to explore and get familiar with old Georgian culture.  Ceramics Georgian ceramics has a millenia-old history, which is confirmed by archaeological research. Even now, this culture is favoured and used in making pitchers, tiles, and various vessels. Georgian ceramics has a distinctive style of painting that will help you understand our cultural peculiarities.  Felt Felt is one of the oldest methods of creating and processing tissue fabric. Felt can be used to make carpets, rugs, clothes, hats, shoes, Georgian traditional chokha and burka. Historically, felt processing reflected family traditions and folk handcrafting and was very laborious. Nowadays, felt culture is still admired and it is a legacy of Georgian folk art.  Georgian Bread Baking Kakhetian Shoti is a Georgian bread - one of those unforgettable flavors associated with the Georgian table. Skilled bakers will teach you how to put the dough in a hot clay tone (big baking boiler) and how to bake Kakhetian Shoti bread.  Vintage, Grapes and Churchkhela
Wine and grapes are one of the strongest symbols of Georgia. Picking the grapes with your hands, then standing in the wine extractor (in Georgian “Satsnakhelil”) and pressing the grapes, will be a big pleasure. You will never forget Churchkhela making process - nut bead, immersed in the badagi (thick grape juice), taste - impossible to forget. They observed the process of workshop and now the part of our jewelry is in their private collection.
ისინი დააკვირდნენ მუშაობის პროცესს. ჩვენი სახელოსნოს ნაწარმი ახლა მათ პირად კოლექციას ამშვენებს. So earlier this year, I took an enamel class at the Embassy and wrote about it here. Sometime late spring, the CLO office (which coordinated the class), switched to an organization from the Tserovani IDP settlement.
An IDP settlement is for Internally Displaced Persons. Tserovani is a settlement for people displaced from the Tskhinvali Region area of Georgia during the 2008 War. About 7000 people live in this settlement (note the red roofed houses go on practically forever).
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