Historical Manuscript Display Facsimiles

Protecting ancient manuscripts while simultaneously displaying them to the wider public is one of the main challenges for museums. This is why the existence of handcrafted museum facsimiles is so important. Furthermore, a facsimile allows us to experience the aesthetics of the original even where the artifact itself is not physically present, as many unique artifacts are preserved outside of Georgia.

I create exhibition dummies of historical manuscripts. Each piece is an exact visual replica of a specific double-page spread. Every detail — whether it is the ink color, the illumination, or the paper texture — is carefully handcrafted. My goal is to create a piece that gives the viewer the genuine emotion of seeing an authentic historical artifact.

David Maisuradze

Handcrafted manuscript facsimiles by Davit Maisuradze are part of the permanent exhibitions at the Parliament of Georgia and the Bolnisi Museum. Additionally, one of his works is preserved at the National Centre of Manuscripts.