Portrait of a Northeast Caucasian Highlander

JACK: I attach a scan done this evening from an image a friend gave me several years ago, which was a color scan done on one of the large laser color copiers. I do not know who did the original painting.

I am quite convinced that the scene represents the environs of the Georgian Military Road in the highlands of the Caucasus. It was a fantastic feat of engineering and road building during the 19th. century, as you can imagine.

Hope you like it.

Regards,
George

Dear George,

Thought you might find the following interesting: The portrait labeled on your site "Painting of A Cossack Guard" would be more accurately titled Painting of A Northeast Caucasian Highlander. A copy can be found in A. Astvatsaturyans's Weapons of the Caucasian Peoples, p. 65 in which the author identifies it as: Chechen 1887. For ethnic peoples of the Caucasus at least, the distinction is an important one.

Hope this information will be of use to you.

Sincerely,
O.P.

Editor's Note: Corrected.

George,
By the way, your image is of a Caucasian mountain tribesman, not a Cossack. If you like I can find out what particular tribe and probably give you the provenance of the painting.

Best,
Oliver

I appreciate your offer to identify the Caucasian on the Georgian Military Road, as pictured on the web site. When I sent the image to my friend's web page, I felt that the gentleman pictured was not a Cossack from the plain evidence of his dress and also the style of long arm. However, not having any firm information on the matter, I described him as a Cossack, figuring that this would be 'good enough'. I should not have done that. I would guess that he is a Mingrelian, possibly Chechen. Terek?? To pin down the provenance of the painting would be valuable.

Best Regards,
George

For further discussion see discussion about the kinjal and related items.

Comments concerning these pages can be addressed to george@arco-iris.com