{"product_id":"rustaveli-vepkhistkaosani-the-knight-in-the-panthers-skin-1937-руставели","title":"Rustaveli, Shota. The Knight in the Panther's Skin (Vityaz v tigrovoy shkure), 1937. Decorations and ornaments by Lado Gudiashvili. In Russian.","description":"\u003cp\u003eРуставели Ш.\u003cbr\u003eВитязь в тигровой шкуре. \/ Перевод с грузинского К. Д. Бальмонта; Заставки, концовки и орнаменты работы Ладо Гудиашвили.\u003cbr\u003eМосква : Художественная литература, 1937.\u003cbr\u003e312 с. : ил. ; 23х15 см. Твердый издательский переплет. Тираж 50000 экз.\u003cbr\u003e***\u003cbr\u003eRustaveli, Shota.\u003cbr\u003eThe Knight in the Panther's Skin. \/ Translated by Konstantin Balmont; Ornaments and decorations by Lado Gudiashvili.\u003cbr\u003eMoscow : Khudozhestvennaya Literatura, 1937.\u003cbr\u003e312 pp. : ill. ; 23x15 cm. Hardcover. Edition of 50,000 copies. In Russian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 1937 edition of Shota Rustaveli’s epic poem is a monumental artifact of the Soviet \"Rustaveli Jubilee\" year, marking the 750th anniversary of the masterpiece. The volume features the poetic translation by the famous Silver Age poet Konstantin Balmont, whose rendition is celebrated for its musicality and romantic flair, bringing the medieval Georgian spirit to the Russian reader with unique lyrical intensity. Beyond its literary merit, the book is a masterpiece of book design, adorned with headpieces, tailpieces, and intricate ornaments created by the legendary Georgian avant-garde artist Lado Gudiashvili. Gudiashvili’s graphic work in this volume masterfully synthesizes traditional Georgian monumental fresco styles with modern decorative elements, creating a visual frame that honors the poem’s origins in the Golden Age of Queen Tamar. The text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of the poem's chivalric code, including the arrangement of the friendship between Avtandil and Tariel, the philosophical quests for divine love, and the exotic landscapes of the medieval East.\u003cbr\u003ePublished by Khudozhestvennaya Literatura in a substantial run of 50,000 copies, this edition was intended to solidify Rustaveli’s status as a foundational figure in the \"friendship of nations\" cultural policy of the 1930s. The 23x15 cm format and the solid hardcover binding reflect the state's commitment to producing \"high-culture\" classics for the mass Soviet audience. Gudiashvili’s ornaments act as a silent commentary on the poem, utilizing symbols of Georgian heraldry and nature to anchor Balmont's rhythmic verses. As a primary source for the study of 1930s cultural diplomacy and the history of Georgian art in exile and return, this book is a significant find for collectors. It captures a rare moment where the poetic heritage of the Silver Age met the artistic brilliance of the Georgian Renaissance in a state-sanctioned masterpiece of pre-war Soviet publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stanza Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43963131363370,"sku":"EB-306306180450","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6359\/5306\/files\/57_bf20afa2-5830-4dd9-b5d0-363273b60a9b.jpg?v=1768161670","url":"https:\/\/stanzararebooks.com\/products\/rustaveli-vepkhistkaosani-the-knight-in-the-panthers-skin-1937-%d1%80%d1%83%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8","provider":"Stanza Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}