Dance with sables

Dance with Sabres
Walrus tusk, carving, 24 cm, 2003

Inspired by Aram Khachaturian’s dramatic ballet and the legendary Queen Tamar of Georgia, this sculpture captures a moment of fierce grace and inner fire. Tamar, who ruled during Georgia’s Golden Age, was revered for her wisdom, beauty, and spiritual depth—yet she governed with the authority of a king (mepe). The figure’s dynamic pose, wind-swept hair, and raised sabre evoke her commanding energy, contrasted by the delicate texture of the tusk.

Crafted from a three-layered walrus tusk, the sculpture plays with subtle shifts in tone—from ivory white to golden hues—suggesting regal garments caught in motion. It is a tribute to an era where spiritual refinement and military strength danced as one.

USA, a private collection.