THE GUILD INSTITUTION IN GEORGIA AND THE SOCIAL STANDING OF ITS MEMBERS ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER “IVERIA”

Abstract

Regarding the research problem, taking into account a thorough analysis of the materials printed in the newspaper ‘’Iveria‘’ and the achievements of modern scientific literature, the article substantiates:
1) Terms preserved in Georgian written documents of XII-XVIII centuries: chief stonemason, chief master, chief painter, chief tailor, etc. denoted the head of the association of people of the respective profession. The scientific literature of the recent period confirms that the word “Chief/Elder” fully corresponds to the concept of the Persian word “Amqar” (‘Craftsman’) introduced to Georgian in the 1860s;
2) The study of the materials printed in the newspaper “Iveria” revealed: a) Craftsman organizations working in Georgia had special signs and flags; b) Internal organizational changes that took place among their members (outflow of masters
to factories) were caused by the harsh socio-economic situation and specifics of capitalism development in the country. “The Law on Workshop Regulations” of the Russian Ministry of 1891 together with the legal norms of apprentices who worked in Craftsman organization legalized the obligations of the workshop owner towards them;

3) The purpose of the publications printed in the newspaper “Iveria” along with popularization of Georgian folk craft was the interest of the relevant authorities of Russia and the necessity to take effective measures in this direction. Propaganda of expediency of creation of “associations of manufacturers” in Georgia and demanding the necessity of functioning in Georgia of the corresponding sub-commission of the commission for the study of domestic industry operating in Russia aimed at survival and preservation of Georgian folk engraving art of the highest standard;