Agathangjel Mbrica
Encyclopedia
Agathangjel Mbrica was an Albanian
artist and goldsmith
.
Agathangjel Mbrica was born in Berat
, a city in southern Albania
in 1883. His father Dhimitraq Mbrica was a tailor who specialized in making xhamadans and fustanella
s.
From the age of 14 Agathangjel Mbrica started working as a goldsmith apprentice of Aleks Kola in his store. During the 1920s Mbrica became one of the most renowned goldsmiths in Albania. He forged a gold medal requested by the teachers of Berat to honour Avni Rustemi, an activist and teacher.
In 1938 he forged a gold double-headed eagle as a present for Zog I
, the king of Albania. In 1950 he forged a gold pigeon ( as a symbol of peace), which was used to honour Joseph Stalin
.
Many of the works of Agathangjel Mbrica are inspired by religious events. His most famous work is a large gold icon
titled The Departure of Elijah.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
artist and goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
.
Agathangjel Mbrica was born in Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
, a city in southern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1883. His father Dhimitraq Mbrica was a tailor who specialized in making xhamadans and fustanella
Fustanella
Fustanella is a traditional skirt-like garment worn by men of many nations in the Balkans, similar to the kilt. In modern times, the fustanella is part of Balkan folk dresses...
s.
From the age of 14 Agathangjel Mbrica started working as a goldsmith apprentice of Aleks Kola in his store. During the 1920s Mbrica became one of the most renowned goldsmiths in Albania. He forged a gold medal requested by the teachers of Berat to honour Avni Rustemi, an activist and teacher.
In 1938 he forged a gold double-headed eagle as a present for Zog I
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
, the king of Albania. In 1950 he forged a gold pigeon ( as a symbol of peace), which was used to honour Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
.
Many of the works of Agathangjel Mbrica are inspired by religious events. His most famous work is a large gold icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
titled The Departure of Elijah.