Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy. The keeper of antiquity// Sezon. 03.11.2010
...These amazing jewellery impossible to buy, How can the memory of history be assessed? They can only be touched – and through cold metal the warmth of hands of ancient jewellers, who made these things for nomad beautiful girls and courageous “djigits”, go into you. Divert your attention from our hectic world for a while – you are touching the Time…
Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy is not just a collector of antiques. She is a propagandist and devotee of national culture. Her goal is to keep for history precious specimen of folk handicrafts. Repatriate, came from China in 1994, widen her collection of unique antiquities, where more than thousand items of domestic utensils, applied art and jewellery made in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. She dreams to create private museum of applied arts. Last year Bakhargul was awarded as Honoured art worker of RK, this year she won the project “Woman of Kazakhstan - 2010”
“Motherland in the heart”
“It is not the occasional name for my personal exhibition in central state museum of RK,”- says Bakhargul, “While living in China, I started collecting Kazakh jewellery. At the beginning it was a hobby. I was in Kazakhstan when it turned to be in real earnest”.
In 2001 I opened salon in Almaty. To promote it I need money. We organized the manufacturing of national souvenirs together with my husband. You can see here the “Golden man”, “baiterek”, and busts of famous poets and writers. Metal, gilding, handicrafts. Leaving France, everyone buys the Eofel tower souvenirs. Leaving Kazalhstan, will carry the copy of “Baiterek”. In 50-100 years, the statue of “Baiterek” will be the antiquity.
“Profit, which earned from selling souvenirs, we invest in antiquities. So, we don’t make much,”- laughing Bakhargul. - “But I am happy that I can keep the history and traditions for nation”. I had the exhibition this year in Presidential cultural center in Astana. Collection, which I have gathered for 15 years, has been exposed for 15 days and 15 million people visited it! 15 is my happy number!
Kazakh silver- sacred metal
Favourite metal of our jewellers is always has been silver. In Kazakhs’ imagination this metal has purifying, protecting and magnificent properties. According to folk believes, a child is not a person till age of 40 days since birth,. That’s why, the special ceremony of bathing took place after 40 days. During this ceremony silver rings, coins put in the bath, saying :”Let’s days of his will be light like silver!” Generally Kazakhs respected talismans.
They prefer turquoise, chalcedony, coral. The most popular was cornelian, considered as a gem of wellness and joy. Besides that, this “sunny stone” could give back the youth. My collection has unique amulet holders – “tumarsha” (triangle shape), “boytumar” (hollow tube with pendants). I wear the old “tumar” with turquoise . I got it in surprising way. Once an old man came and brought many spoons, forks and knives – 190 items. We talked a lot and suddenly he gave me “tumar” saying to keep myself away from evil eye. Since that time this amulet is always with me and brings me lack. Since then this talisman is always with me.
Some jewellery have educational stories. For example, “sholpa” which girls plait into hair was heavy and it forced to keep the posture, not stooping.
The symbolism of Kazakh rings can be described in a book. Unmarried girl should wear rings with triangle shape. After marriage she should give them to her mother. When young people had a wedding, both families are tied together; this was symbolized by massive west – Kazakhstan rings – “matchmaker rings”. Married woman should wear rings and bracelets.
Husband and daughter of 8 years old help Bakhargul in everything. All their life is connected to history, spirituality and beauty, “Ademi” is the name of Bakhargul’s salon. So, she gave her daughter the same name.
Text: Svetlana Velichenko
Foto: Iliya Aleshkovskiy
Interior: French furniture Salon.
Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy. The keeper of antiquity// Sezon. 03.11.2010
http://season.kz/articles/istoriya-mody/3615.html
