Bichiko Chkhaidze

Kvevri

The village of Atsana, where Bichiko Chkhaide lives and runs his own business, has long been known for its master potters. Bichiko's father was also a follower of this craft. An extraordinarily talented man, he was not only a master potter but also worked with wood, was a skilled blacksmith, and a builder. He never shied away from teaching Bichiko everything he knew, hoping that at least one craft would stick. After living in Tbilisi for 14 years during his student years, Bichiko only returned to the village in 2010 to join his father in the nearly lost art of pottery. While his father could create any object on a whim, Bichiko needed detailed drawings, precise measurements, and only then would he begin working. Pottery required knowledge; clay is like silk—if "tamed" improperly, the entire piece could collapse. By this time, only two masters remained in the entire village: Bichiko's father and a neighbor, an old man. As interest in traditional Gurian winemaking grew, so did the demand for traditional Gurian pitchers. Bichiko decided to turn this activity into a family business. He sources his clay (raw material) from the well-known "Sakrametis" quarry in the village of Aketi. He might be the only one left who knows the secrets of pottery. Despite the labor-intensive and exhausting nature of the work, when you see how each layer adds more to the roll, it energizes you. After finishing, the firing process begins in a kiln built by his own hands. This is another tense and nerve-wracking stage—you never know if the kiln will yield the products intact. The joy is indescribable when, after 2-3 days and nights of sleepless anticipation, your creations—pitchers, jars, wine vessels, pots—emerge intact and perfect from the kiln. For Bichiko, this is not just a business; it connects him with his ancestors and he takes pride in being the sole master of traditional Gurian pottery, keeping and revitalizing this ancient art. Today, Bichiko produces various-sized jars, pitchers, pots, and wine vessel heads, aiming to diversify and enrich his assortment.

Due to the technology involved, the best period for production is from May to October. The maximum volume of pottery is 1000 liters. Purchases are made to order, and it's possible to negotiate the delivery of the finished product on site.