Autumn is an exceptional time of the year: variety of colors graciously capture the universe, fuel creativity and energize the spirit. The multicolored trees, especially, are attractive. They vividly remind a “Tree of Life”- a fundamental archetype that is part of many cultural and religious symbolic visions of the life cycle and the life meaning.

In the Tatar decorative art, the “Tree of Life” is interpreted with the language of vegetative and floral ornamental elements. A tree turns into a blooming stem that carries positive energy and hopes for a healthy life. A classic composition of shchitek (Tatar boot) conceptualizes a human life cycle as a progression from a seed to a bud to a blooming flower.

Skilful designs and hand-stitching are filled with positive intentions and wishes for a wearer to live through all stages of life well, and, at the end, to peacefully reach the world of Tengri for eternity. The world of Tengri (a higher power of endless Sky) is, generally, depicted in a different leather color and with a curvy line of distinctive stitching.  Unnamed masters, for centuries, have kept and shared this illustrative code of wellbeing through exceptional craftsmanship of the Tatar boots.

A perfect collaboration of nature and art. Nailya Kumysnokova’s inspirational bag in leather mosaic technique with personal interpretation of a tree as a powerful symbol of life. Meaningful and beautiful.