"Since this week, one of my works has been on display at the UN as part of its permanent collections. This is my work for Chota Roustaveli's Tiger Skin Knight, which Aragon said was such a powerful poet, as inspired as Christian de Troyes“, - French sculptor and goldsmith Goudji (Guji Amashukeli born in Georgia on July 6, 1941) writes on his official Facebookpage.
According to the article by Marie Akar published in ′′ Arts & Métiers du livre ", a patron of Georgian origin, Dimitri Abdushelishvili, wanted to offer his country's national museum a remarkable work in relation to national history and culture. The choice of the ′′ Tiger Skin Knight ", a book considered a monument to Georgian literature, quickly imposed. Composed by Chota Roustaveli between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century, this epic poem can be compared to the works of Christian de Troyes.
The calligraphy has been entrusted to five students of the Academy of Fine Arts: Davit Maisuradze, Giorgi Sisauri, Ana Gokadze, Nino Ikashvili and Levan Tskhviravashvili. And the illuminations, purposely inspired by works by Goudji, to Sophie Kintsurashvili and Tamaz Varvaridze. Having been able to appreciate the talent of the goldsmith, famous for its lay objects, made for collectors, and liturgical (incense holders, ostensoirs, chalices and furniture as altar, cathedron, seat, baptismal tank, pascal candlesticks, procession crosses...), The Georgian philanthropist offered him to create a box for the epic of ′′ Homer of the Caucasus ". This type of exercise is not new to him, since he is the author of numerous evangelical covers for churches and cathedrals in France (Chartres, Albi, Saint-Flour, Le Mans, Saint-Malo...), Italy or Israel. His inspiration reconnects here with the medieval tradition of volumes adorned with stones and silver while asserting his contemporary artistic character. Another inspiration dear to the artist, that of the ancient golden age of the art of goldsmith, Achémenides (th century BC). - C. ) to the Sassanides (rd-th century of our era), as well as Greece and Persia.
Design and production
The rich case, closed by two hinges, welcomes the illuminated manuscript. In the center of the front plate, a picture of the poet praying on his knees is protected by a film of rock crystal surrounded by red jasper and silver. Above, two deer, symbolic animals in Christian mythology and iconography, face each other. On the back plate, a kind of porch is overcome by a spiral sun symbolizing the heavenly world. In the middle a cut, like a chalice, is surrounded by two birds that represent the source of life and immortality. The back is adorned with hard stones, set in silver frames, arranged in harmony with colors.
Complex work
Besides the subtlety of the design of the work, the technical process is demanding. 8/10th thick silver plates are hand shaped using regrowth and hammering techniques. Different stages follow each other, mounting, welding, polishing, etc. Welding operation is delicate to master because, given the finesse of metal, heat can cause deformations. Goudji's pieces are unique, they are born from the virtuosity of his hands, without cast iron or mold.
Goudji goldsmith, specializing in creating lay and liturgical pieces, has made a precious box for a text of the Middle Ages calligraphy and illuminated by contemporary artists.
