Untsukul Untsukul a village of a village of

woodcutterswoodcuttersMikhail NokhovMikhail Nokhov

Gymnasium # 1Gymnasium # 1

KhasavyurtKhasavyurt

Especially famous for Especially famous for the art of the art of woodworking is the woodworking is the Avar village of Avar village of Untsukul, where this Untsukul, where this art appeared two art appeared two hundred years ago. It hundred years ago. It is situated within the is situated within the steep slopes of the steep slopes of the mountains which are mountains which are surrounding it as a surrounding it as a high wall.high wall.

It is the birthplace of It is the birthplace of the unique decorative the unique decorative art. The roots of the art art. The roots of the art go back to the XVII –go back to the XVII –XVIII centuries. The XVIII centuries. The elderly people elderly people remember the time remember the time when there was a large when there was a large wooden ring inlaid with wooden ring inlaid with silver on the door of the silver on the door of the old mosque. The old mosque. The legends tell about legends tell about wonderful craftsmen of wonderful craftsmen of the past – Goosein and the past – Goosein and Martal whose names Martal whose names are given to the oldest are given to the oldest Untsukul ornaments. Untsukul ornaments.

Before the revolution Before the revolution the name of Magomed the name of Magomed Yusupov was well know Yusupov was well know not only in Russian but not only in Russian but abroad too. In winter abroad too. In winter he prepared his he prepared his manufacture and in manufacture and in spring in the company spring in the company of five or six craftsmen of five or six craftsmen went either to France, went either to France, Great Britain, Turkey, Great Britain, Turkey, or even to America to or even to America to sell his things. They sell his things. They were always in great were always in great demand both in demand both in Russian and abroad. Russian and abroad.

The residents of that The residents of that village have worked out village have worked out their traditional their traditional ornamentation patterns ornamentation patterns on such domestic on such domestic wooden articles as canes wooden articles as canes and walking sticks, and walking sticks, smoking pipes, spoons, smoking pipes, spoons, dishes? Candle sticks, dishes? Candle sticks, vases, and other items vases, and other items ornamented with ornamented with cuprum-nickel cuprum-nickel damascening.damascening.

Craftsman I. Abdulayev

Today the assortment of articles produced by the Untsukul craftsmen has widened greatly. Recently they have begun to manufacture thematic mural paintings with damascening, which include decorative murals with animal images and which have greater importance as decorative objects and souvenirs. They are used for decorating the walls of homes and enjoy an increasing demand both in our country and abroad.