Due to the fragility of the material and the natural and climatic conditions of our region, not so many ancient examples of these related types of applied art have survived. But those that survived attract attention with the skill of the work. By the late 18th century, local schools and woodcarving centers had developed in the territory of the Uzbek khanates. This craft was especially developed in Khorezm, Kokand, Tashkent and Bukhara.
A special style of woodcarving has also developed in the Fergana Valley. A prominent representative of the Kokand school is the outstanding woodcarver usto Kadyrzhan Khaidarov. He was an unsurpassed master of flat-relief carving in the pargori style, which got its name from the word pargor – compasses. His caskets and tables – khan-takhta with a polished surface carved with fine openwork invariably attract the attention of visitors. His student U. Umarov whose works are also presented in the exhibition adopted K. Khaidarov’s skill.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "The Collection of the State Museum of Applied Art and Handicraft’s History of Uzbekistan" (XXXIX volume) from the series "The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan".
The main sponsor of the project is the oilfield services company Eriell-Group.