RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF LEATHER SHOE SAMPLES PRESERVED IN GEORGIAN MUSEUMS

Abstract

The article conducts a structural and technological analysis of examples of traditional leather shoes discovered in various regions of Georgia and now kept in museums. The research incorporates visual-structural observations alongside data gathered from field expeditions. Furthermore, it explores the technological aspects of shoe production, the criteria for selecting materials, and the alignment of these materials with human anatomical and functional needs. This highlights its significance
for both ethnographic study and contemporary design research.
The article examines current research funded by a scientific grant, with the initial phase focusing on organizing expeditions to investigate leather items preserved in museums across various regions of Georgia. As anticipated, modern museums contain only a limited number of leather artifacts. Additionally, some items are not preserved at all. Given their age, many leather products that have survived to the present are damaged and, in some cases, nearly destroyed, further complicating the situation. It is also important to note that most of the specimens observed lack precise dating.