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The Traditional Crafts
 The
applied art of Uzbekistan is a real cultural and historical
phenomenon. It is well known because of Uzbek traditions.
The beautiful architectural ensembles of Bukhara, Samarkand,
Khiva, Tashkent and Ferghana are famous for their pieces of
applied arts. The attractive pieces are created by masters
of wood-carving, chasing, lacquered miniatures, embroidery
and jewelry plus all arts of Uzbekistan.
 Now
the applied arts are not only the ancient art introduced by
museums. The local population admired superb production as
in the 20th century many walls of the houses were decorated
with embroideries, carpets, ceramics and carvings. Traditionally,
embroidered carpets were of dark color.
 In
wood-carving Tashkent and Ferghana valley craftsmen are popular
with their products of small tables, chairs, boxes, doors,
and different souvenirs. Therefore, while in Uzbekistan, you
will have a choice not only to buy souvenirs and gifts but
also to savor the wonderment of Uzbek culture and heritage.
Folk decorative Applied-Arts
The origins of Uzbek folk art are hidden in the depths
of history. Numerous archeological excavations in rural areas
have revealed new aspects of this ancient land and its culture.
Uzbek applied arts have a large diversity when it comes to
style, materials and ornamentation. Ceramic, silk and cotton
weaving, stone and wood carving, metal engraving, leather
stamping, calligraphy and miniature painting are a few genres
passed down from old times. In the past, each religion had
its own cultural and ethnic traditions; these unique features
were established by local craftsmen who consolidated these
characteristics through their arts.
Ceramics
 Uzbek
Ceramics is very diverse in its color and design. It is also
original in terms of shape. The most famous centers for ceramics
are Rishtan and Gurumsay in Ferghana valley and Khorezm. They
are renowned for their glazed white and blue ceramics. Another
type of Uzbek craft typical for Samarkand is the art of making
crockery, smoking pipes (chilim) and snuffboxes (noskadi).
Jewelry
 Uzbek
craftsmen of today still practice ancient jewelry making techniques
for cutting gemstones, grain filigree, granular work, engraving,
embossing, chasing and enameling. Modern jewelers not only
uphold traditions, but also they take fashion demands and
styles into account.
Metal Chasing and Engraving
 Since
ancient times, the largest cities in Uzbekistan - Bukhara,
Tashkent, Samarkand and Khiva, have been the centers for copper
engraving based on traditional methods. Each region has specific
shapes and designs. The most popular items of this art are
jugs, teapots, and trays, and lately, washstands, band basins,
buckets and large bowls. Copper embossed items were highly
valued formerly and they are very popular today too.
Art Embroidery, Weaving
 One
of the most popular trends of applied arts in Uzbekistan is
embroidery. Several places in Uzbekistan recognized for their
embroidery are Nuratin, Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Surkhandarya,
Tashkent, Jizzakh, and Ferghana. Each school is distinguished
by its unique aspects such as ornamentation, composition,
and color range and stitching. The traditional art of embroidery
is still alive among Uzbek people. Embroidered cloths are
widely produced in Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent plants.
Gold embroidery is the finest kind of embroidery. This craft
has always been applied in Bukhara. The other ancient craft
in Uzbekistan is weaving. Its richest historical traditions
have stayed with us hitherto. Cotton fabrics and silks were
in high demand everywhere all over Central Asia.
The mystery of making these invaluable cloths was unraveled
here long before the Great Silk Road was established. The
art of weaving still exists in Ferghana valley and, doubtlessly,
handcrafted cloth is still preferred to factory woven fabric.
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