The horn for wine is a peculiar symbol of Georgia and carries many interesting facts. After all, Georgia is not only wine and barbecue, the cordiality and hospitality of local residents, but also a centuries-old history that preserves the origin of traditions and features of the Georgian people.
The history of the origin of the horns for drinking wine
The primitive time, when people were just learning to make dishes and adapt them for food and drinks, long ago has sunk into oblivion. However, in some countries, they still adhere to traditions and use national dishes and drinks as their ancestors did. One of the main examples of such traditions is drinking wine with the horn.
For domestic purposes, the horns and insides of animals have been used since ancient times. The Scythians and Thracians used them most actively, and then other peoples and tribes, in particular the Germans and Celts, took over the traditions. Based on these facts, we can safely say that the horn for wine is the oldest vessel invented by man.
It is also worth noting the fact that in ancient times people were able to create unusual and skillful dishes, but for drinking wine they often used vessels that resembled the shape of an animal's horn. For many centuries, such a vessel has become a mandatory attribute of any Caucasian home. After many years, the Georgian horn for wine is not used for drinking alcoholic beverages, but rather for decorative home decoration.
Production technology
As a basis, it is customary to use the horns of bulls, tours or cows. First of all, thorough cleaning and processing of the horn from dirt, blood and other unnecessary components is performed. After the cleansing procedure has occurred, it is surrounded by a special alloy. For alloy, brass and cupronickel are often used. At the end of the process, the Georgian horn for wine is decorated with a small chain, engraving and embossing, which turns it into a refined and unique vessel.
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According to ancient traditions, in order for the house to always have prosperity and prosperity, Georgians must fill the vessel with wine and drink it. The tradition says: the horn for wine should be filled to the brim and until it is completely drained, the vessel cannot be placed on the table.
If guests come to the owner of the house, he is obliged to offer them to drink wine from the horn, thus showing his kindliness, wealth and generosity. In turn, the guest should not refuse such an offer, as otherwise the refusal may be perceived as disrespect for the owner of the house.
Ancient traditions of Georgians
The Georgian people have another, no less interesting and ancient tradition associated with this vessel. As soon as the boy is sixteen years old, he is presented with a skillfully made animal horn, filled to the brim with wine, as a gift.
According to this tradition, the boy must completely drain the vessel, thus showing his masculinity and willingness to be responsible for his actions. As an example, we can cite a case with the guest's regrowing when they cannot put a horn with unfinished wine on the table so as not to show disrespect to the owner of the house. So in this situation - the guy must completely drink the wine and not leave a drop.
Varieties of vessels for wine
According to ancient traditions, the horn from which the knights drank wine was made from ram outgrowths, and higher lords absorbed the drink from outgrowths of rounds and bison. In the Middle Ages, when most of the animals were exterminated, vessels for drinking wine began to be made of glass and metals.
In the Soviet period, antlers for crystal wines were extremely popular among tourists. Almost every family kept an exquisite vessel for wine, brought from Sochi or Batumi as a souvenir. In some cases, ready-made gift sets were sold, including a horn and an alcoholic drink.
Currently, wine vessels are made of glass, metal and bone. Real horns have become an indispensable attribute of the style and sophistication of the home. These vessels carry a decorative mission and are handcrafted, which makes them a unique work of art. Among connoisseurs of wine, there is a belief that from different horns, wine is felt and drunk in different ways. It is also worth paying attention to the bends and turns of this vessel, which play a role in the perception of the drink.
There are gift horns for wine - decorative, souvenir and exotic. The latter species includes samples from Dagestan. The vessels are encrusted with coinage, silver and gold, precious and semiprecious stones. The horn for wine is made from outgrowths of tour, buffalo and bull. In most cases, such vessels are rarely used for drinking wines. Most often, exotic horns for wine are usually used for decorative purposes, emphasizing the style and exquisite taste of the owner.