‘The objects are unique with their elegance and age - V century BC. The gold dishes, the decorations and the wreath are extraordinary and unique. Some of them are unknown to the history of Thracian archeology’, says their discoverer, archaeologist Dr. Georgi Kitov
What is hidden in the tomb of Seuthes III?
The discovery made by our great archaeologist Georgi Kitov in the Golyama Kosmatka mound is truly amazing.
The tomb itself is unique; the doors to the three consecutive chambers are made of granite, the decoration contains human images and ornaments. In the last chamber, the archaeologist and his team found many objects made of gold and silver, scattered on a funeral bed. They suppose it was a lavish royal funeral.
Golden wreath with oak leaves and acorns; some leaves were scattered on the floor.
The wreath has been restored to its full glory. It consists of two branches, curved into a circle, to which 18 smaller branches are attached. There were 210 scattered leaves and 72 acorns. The inner diameter of the wreath is 30 cm. It is assumed that it was worn over the helmet found in the same mound.
Golden kylix - a wine cup with two handles rising above it, weighing 350-400 g
Ornamental shapes are forged on the bottom, and the Star of Vergina is in the middle. Archaeologists say that only the ruler had the right to drink wine from the kylix. There is little controversy among scientists about the name and purpose of the golden dish. According to some, this is the cup from which the Odrysian king Seuthes III drank every day and that is why they named it ‘kylix’. According to others, this is a kantharos - a cup from which gods drank wine. Whatever its name is, everyone agrees that the item is truly beautiful.
They were placed next to the gold objects. The inscriptions in ancient Greek are highly interesting: ‘This dish belongs to Seuthes and weighs ...’ The letters are carved into the handle of the jug and at the bottom of the phiale.
The bronze head of Seuthes III. This remains one of the most incredible discoveries in the tomb.
‘This bronze head is probably the most beautiful head that has reached us from the old Greek world, with incredibly well-preserved eyes made of glass paste and alabaster, with eyelashes and eyebrows made of fine copper plates’, wrote the ‘Figaro’ newspaper.
The scientists compared the image of the sculpture to coins minted at the time with an image of King Seuthes and concluded that this was indeed a bronze image of him. Additional proof is the inscription ‘Of Seuthes’ found on the helmet in the first chamber. Everyone agrees that this is an exceptional work of art, very well-preserved from antiquity to the present day. There are many questions about the Thracian ruler, which may only be answered in the future. This find is unique in Thracian history.
In the Golyama Kosmatka mound, many more items were found, such as gold horse decorations, a silver shell gilded on the inside, three amphorae, a headpiece, gold sword ornaments and gold horse harnesses. The gold finds weigh a total of 4 kg.
Where is ‘The Valley of the Thracian Kings’?
It is in the Kazanlak valley. The archaeologist named the area in this way because it is rich in tombs and monuments of the Thracian culture. There are over 1,500 shrines, only a few of which have been opened.
According to Dr. G. Kitov, the tombs in the ‘Valley of the Thracian Kings’ were temples used for centuries.
The Golyama Kosmatka mound is located 1 km south of the town of Shipka and 12 km north of Kazanlak. The tomb was built in the 5th - 4th century BC. It consists of 3 chambers and can be reached by a corridor, 13 m long. The first chamber was built of stone blocks.
From there, you enter the second chamber, which is round with a massive stone dome. The door between the two chamber is made of stone, with a carved image of Medusa on it.
The last chamber is impressive. It is carved from a 60-ton granite block. The craftsmanship is incredible. A ritual bed was made in the carved room. It is supposed to be for the Odrysian king. It is here that Dr. G. Kitov and his team discovered the priceless Thracian treasures that you can see today in the museum in Kazanlak.
What do we know about Seuthes III?
Seuthes III is from the dynasty of the Odrysian kings, whose founder was King Teres. He extended the Odrysian lands south to the Aegean Sea and north to the Danube. In 330 BC, Seuthes III took power and became the last great ruler of the Odrysian kingdom - the richest kingdom on the Balkan Peninsula, occupying vast territories in southeastern Thrace.
In 323 BC, Seuthes III built a magnificent city and palace - Seuthopolis, which became the symbol of his power. The city developed rapidly and was a political, economic and cultural centre.
Seuthopolis was discovered during the construction of the Koprinka Reservoir; it has been thoroughly studied but, unfortunately, it is under water now.
The Odrysian kingdom was the most remarkable state union of the Thracians. It existed until 46 AD, when the Romans conquered it.
Who discovered the tomb of Seuthes III?
One of the most interesting and rich Thracian tombs in the Bulgarian lands, the tomb of the Odrysian king Seuthes III, was discovered in the autumn of 2004 by the archaeologist Georgi Kitov and his TEMR (Thracian expedition for mound research) team.
The late Dr. Kitov contributed a lot to the study and popularization of Thracian artifacts, which he discovered on the territory of Bulgaria.
‘The loss of our great archaeologist Dr. Georgi Kitov, has left a huge gap in terrain archaeology. He has over 200 publications on archaeology. Looking back, we see how many extraordinary finds he made. There is hardly another researcher of ours who has done so much for the popularisation of art and culture of our lands from antiquity. Many of his finds would be a source of pride for any museum in the world. Thanks to them, many new regions of our country have become an international tourist destination’, said President Georgi Parvanov.
Are we interested in the history that our earth has preserved?
It is interesting and remarkable how much history and how many artefacts there are in a territory as small as Bulgaria. During each excavation, archaeologists find a piece of the life of our ancestors. We are a nation with a rich past, and that is priceless. All these discoveries made by archaeologists are changing scientists' perceptions of the oldest centres of human civilization. The historical artefacts prove that a civilization flourished on the territory of Bulgaria long before the Hellenic one. A culture existed which created items of high artistic value.
When you need a business gift or are looking for something original for a foreigner, the best possible choice are replicas of Thracian treasures. Exquisite, brilliant - they impress with their appearance, leave a lasting memory and promote our country around the world. Take a look at the replicas from the Golyama Kosmatka mound and see how they are uniquely suitable as a gift.
At “Zografov and Son”, we aim to simplify and enhance the gift selection process, making it both easy and enjoyable. Whether you are searching for the ideal gift for a loved one or a corporate event, we have a rich variety of options that will impress every taste and preference. Should you desire, we are available to provide consultations and assistance in choosing the most suitable gift for your specific occasion.
Could you guess what Angelina Jolie, Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov, Klaus Meine from ‘Scorpions’, the Austrian skydiver and daredevil Felix Baumgartner (who jumped from the ‘edge’ of the cosmos), Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Albert II and the presidents Georgi Parvanov, Bronislaw Komorowski, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin all have in common? They all own an art piece by Zografov & Son, the Bulgarian family enterprise for luxury presents made of noble metals, spreading the name of their country around the world.
The Bulgarian brand is a byword for exquisite pieces of beauty, style and uniqueness Silver cups, vessels of exotic woods, replicas of Thracian treasures: for over 30 years, the luxury items with the brand Zografov have been the best choice to make gifts that impress, inspire and speak of beauty, power and craftsmanship.
A client asked us once, ‘Which wooden whiskey cup should I choose? You have various types of wood, colour and metal - silver or gold plating. Which combination would be best for me?’ The answer depends on many factors: what wood you like, what colour would fit best to the setting in which the cup will be, etc. etc.
Walnut is a broadleaf tree widely distributed in the Balkans. Whiskey cups made of walnut have a rich, dark colour and a smooth texture that feels comfortable in the hand. The combination of materials, the warm and natural beauty of the walnut and the soft shine of the gold, attracts attention, magically enhancing the aesthetic, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication.
Cherry whiskey cups have a warm, inviting look and are often used for special occasions. The combination with gold or silver accents completes the aesthetics of the wood.
The preference of the colours and the wood from which the cups are made depends on our current mood. Just like listening to music or our desire to go out and meet friends or stay at home with our favourite drink depends on our current state of mind.
Most people like to make a unique and remarkable gift. They are looking for one that makes the recipient feel special. An item which can relate to a memory of a friend or an important moment in someone's life, a gift made of quality materials, which will not be put on the shelf and forgotten, but will be given a special place so that it can always remind, who gave it.
The special day of a loved one, a friend, a relative or a colleague is approaching. You have chosen a wonderful present from 'Zografov & Son'. It comes in luxurious packaging and a beautiful branded envelope, ready to be presented. You are happy and you think that the preparations for the event are complete. But do you know how important it is to add a personal message to your present?
If you wish, we can take care of your items. Give us a call and we will not only restore the silverware, but we will also apply an additional gold coating. The fee for the service is negotiable. Thus, you will have your favourite cup or jug in its original state once again.
In this article, we will tell you what the different types of trees symbolize, how wooden items are made, and in what package you will receive them from our studio. This will help you choose the most suitable ones for you or for the person you want to give them to.
According to recent research by American biologists and epidemiologists, silver is able to cope with new viruses and bacteria, unlike most known antibiotics and antiseptics. It is therefore no surprise that silver water is set to become an antibacterial miracle.
When you want to surprise your loved one, friend or colleague for their celebration, you could give them something original, memorable, personal and luxurious - something unique. The gratitude you will see in their eyes will make you happy.
We at 'Zografov & Son' offer you luxurious gifts, full of spirit, emotion and sentiment which, we promise you, cannot be found anywhere else! CHOOSE A PRECIOUS GIFT What gift to choose for a 50th birthday?
‘There are two very real reasons to buy business gifts that are not necessarily warm and fuzzy. One is obviously to thank someone for their business for the year. The other is to make sure you remain top of mind, and to get your name in front.’
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If you have the chance to visit the museum in Vratsa, you will come upon an incredible sight: dozens of small dishes, placed in special chambers, as if telling you their own story. Their splendid detail sparkles in the dark, and we can only marvel at how they were made by the ancient craftsmen
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Zografov and Son's masterwork of gold, silver and exotic wood has been handed down for generations by Andrea Puncheva
When 26 years ago Nikolay Zografov decided to dedicate himself to his fine art, he did not anticipate that years later his creations would belong to presidents, diplomats, aristocrats, artists, and famous personalities from around the world. His talented hands sculpt perfect compositions from noble metals and exotic wood, transforming objects into true works of art.
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What makes us different is that we create positive emotions with each of our products. We deliver joy wrapped in a smile and kind words.
