State Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan was founded in Tashkent in 1937.
Over 4,000 exhibits brief the visitors on development of applied art in the region. Among them are samples of the finest wood carvings, traditional ceramics and objects of national coinage, masterpieces of jewellery, works of gold embroiderers and sewers.
History of the Museum’s building
Prior to the beginning of new millennium, the museum occupied so called “House of Polovtseva”. It was constructed in the end of the 19th century. Trader Ivanov owned the building first. Later, the building was purchased for diplomat of Tsarist Russia. Architect A.A.Burmeyster changed eastern decorations of the house.
During the World War I, the war prisoners lived here. They were mainly Austrians. After Soviets came to power, the building turned into children’s home. During its history, the building changed its purpose – from the center for ganch and coinage to sewing shop.
Finally, it became Museum of crafts in 1937.
Architecture
Uzbek masters – Usta T. Arslankulov, A. Kazymdjanov (Tashkent), Usta Shirin Muradov (Bukhara), Usta A. Palvanov (Khiva) and Usta Abdulla (Rishtan) worked on external appearance of the buildings. Ganch and wood carvings were used in its decoration. Traditional painting of Central Asia also strengthens its oriental flavor.
The building still is bright sample of decorative art of Uzbekistan.
