The Caucasian Silk Circle: digitising the photograph collection of the State Silk Museum in Georgia (EAP1306)

Aims and objectives

Founded in 1887, The State Silk Museum (former Caucasian Sericulture Station), was a research institution carrying out different scientific activities to promote and increase awareness of sericulture and silk production in the Caucasus. One of various collections of the museum preserves photos from different period, earliest of which were taken by famous photographer Konstantin Zanis and other employees of the Station during expeditions around the Caucasus in 1890-1901. The photos depict process of silk production, ethnography, portraits, natural environment, and architecture. The project intends to digitise these photographs in order to ensure their preservation and appreciation among society.

Outcomes

The project digitised 534 photographs, both loose and within photo albums. The photographs were researched and reattributed so that comprehensive information was added to the catalogue entries. This work will contribute to the future publications, exhibitions and educational programmes based on this collection. Additionally, the original photographs have been placed in new, acid free archival envelopes and boxes and are now stored in the best possible conditions. The Silk Museum staff training and the acquired digitisation technique will enable the museum to continue digitising other parts of the its collection and make them available online.

The records copied by this project have been catalogued as: