Foundation for Living and Ethnography
In the Ethnography Fund are preserved more than 1,186 exhibits, arranged in collections of furniture, textiles, wood, and various specialized categories. The significance of the materials held in this fund is invaluable, for within these collections are represented not only a large portion of the Dadiani family’s heritage but also artifacts reflecting the everyday culture of the population of Samegrelo.
The textile collection primarily contains outstanding examples of ritual and Georgian ecclesiastical embroidery. Among them is the “Deposition from the Cross of Tsaishi”, dated to 1653, bearing a dedicatory inscription of Levan II Dadiani. It is a multi‑figured narrative composition. Also preserved are 17th, 18th, and 19th‑century altar cloths, enkers, fireplace covers, and veils, embroidered with silver and gold thread. The collection further includes carpets, embroidered portraits, breast ornaments, flags, writing cases bearing the monogram of Niko Dadiani.
The furniture collection preserves personal belongings of David, Niko, Andria, and Salome Dadiani, as well as of Ekaterine Chavchavadze‑Dadiani. Of particular note are pieces reflecting European culture: cabinets, tables, commodes, armchairs, chairs, display cupboards, jewelry boxes, and nécessaires bearing the monograms of Ekaterine and Salome Dadiani, in the styles of Boulle, Empire, Rococo, and Baroque. Also preserved are dueling cases. A place of special importance is held by personal items of Emperor Napoleon I of France — secretaries, tables with porcelain bowls, and other accessories.
In the Wood and Ethnography Collection are gathered, first and foremost, the personal belongings of the Dadiani family — notably saddles with inscriptions of David Dadiani, barometers, tennis rackets, skis, and various other items. Among them is Andria Dadiani’s chess set, distinguished by its unique box and board, with the figures neatly arranged inside.
This collection also preserves artifacts reflecting the daily life and culture of Samegrelo, illustrating the development of various branches of agriculture. These include implements of farming (ploughs, hoes, etc.), viticulture and winemaking (winepress, ladle, trough, khrika, jars, koka, dergi, and others), craftsmanship (wooden household furniture, blacksmith tools), animal husbandry and dairy production (milk churns, trays, molds, etc.). Fishing implements are also represented (nets, kuno, fish traps, and others). Examples of Georgian folk, Eastern, European, and classical musical instruments are preserved as well (panduri, chonguri, apkhartsa, chianuri, flute).
In the various specialized collections (leather, wicker, horn, cardboard, bone), are preserved personal hygiene items of the Dadianis (brushes, mirrors, curling irons, and others). Also included are hunting trophies (antlers of deer, goat, and chamois), drinking horns, toys, lanterns, and other accessories.
Furniture collection
Ethnography Collection
Wood collection
Fabric collection
Miscellaneous
