With support from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Switzerland and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, experts from Azerbaijan worked with rare Kazakh artifacts preserved in Bern, DKNews.kz reports.
Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and specialist Ilaha Behbudova assessed the condition of 19th-century silk and velvet wall friezes from the collection of Swiss diplomat and traveler Henri Moser, housed at the Bern Historical Museum.
A gift from a khan and a window into history
These friezes were presented to Henri Moser by Kazakh Khan Baimukhamed in the 19th century.
They are not just decoration, but:
- a valuable example of the artistic traditions of the Kazakh Khanate
- an important source for studying nomadic history and culture
- tangible evidence of diplomacy and exchanges of that era
Each piece holds a story of its time.
Assessment and next steps
During their work, the experts:
- conducted a detailed condition review
- discussed possible restoration work with the Bern Historical Museum
- explored opportunities to exhibit the artifacts abroad, including in Kazakhstan
Why it matters
Finds like these help:
- bring forgotten pages of history back to life
- strengthen cultural cooperation
- remind the world of Kazakhstan’s rich heritage
If the project moves forward, people in many countries will be able to see these unique works created by Kazakh artisans nearly two centuries ago.
