About

Publications

Knowledge Database

Traditional and contemporary art of Kazakhstan

A Virtual Journey into the World of Kazakhstan’s Artistic Heritage

This Web Gallery presents the diversity of artistic practices in Kazakhstan, reflecting the continuity of cultural traditions and the dynamic development of contemporary creative processes. The virtual exhibition features works based on national images, symbols, and themes, as well as artworks by contemporary artists who reinterpret the country’s cultural heritage through contemporary artistic forms, expressive means, and modern technologies.

The selected works demonstrate the relationship between traditional and contemporary art, revealing the distinctive features of the national worldview, cultural identity, and cultural meanings. The presented materials allow viewers to trace how elements of historical and cultural heritage are reflected in contemporary artistic practice, while maintaining their significance and relevance in an increasingly globalized world.

The Web Gallery is aimed at promoting Kazakhstan’s artistic heritage, expanding public access to works of art, and fostering a lasting interest in national culture and art among a wide audience.

Kapsyrma

North Kazakhstan. Silver, carnelian, coral, glass, smalt, engraving, filigree. A. Kasteev National Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Қапсырма (парная застёжка) с развитой композицией

Kapsyrma (clasp). The item is a complex double clasp with an elaborate decorative composition, consisting of two symmetrical halves connected by a central hinge mechanism. The design is intended to fasten items of clothing, with the main artistic focus centred on the ornamental decoration of the surface.The composition has a cross-shaped, flaring form with pronounced axial symmetry. The central zone is accentuated by a vertical connecting element, from which a system of filigree curls radiates outwards. The ornament is based on spiral motifs, forming a dense openwork structure characteristic of the skani technique.The decorative field includes coloured inlays — carnelian, coral, glass and smalt — set in mounts and evenly distributed across the surface of the piece. Their placement follows the principle of rhythmic alternation and symmetry, which reinforces the composition’s unity. The side projections are finished with crescent-shaped elements, which may indicate a symbolic meaning linked to traditional beliefs and the protective function of the ornament.Technologically, the piece is executed using a combined technique: filigree elements are soldered from fine wire to form an ornamental pattern, after which they are enhanced with engraving and stone settings. A hinge mechanism ensures the mobility of the flaps and secure fastening.This clasp demonstrates a high level of jewellery craftsmanship, in which the filigree technique plays a leading role, allowing for the achievement of complex plastic and graphic expressiveness. The piece reflects the developed tradition of 20th-century North Kazakh jewellery art, characterised by decorative richness and the symbolic multi-layered nature of form.