Princess Leonida Bagration of Mukhrani

Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna of Russia was the consort of Vladimir Kirillovich, Grand Duke of Russia.

Heavy traditional Khevsur clothing

Khevsur women's traditional clothing was extremely heavy, often weighing between 15 and 16 kilograms.

Penalty for buying city fashion

In 1913, three families were penalized by a local prince for allowing their daughters to purchase modern Russian saddles, city hats, and shoes at a fair without his permission.

Festive instruments like the duduk and zurna

Duduks and zurnas were popular instruments for weddings and festive parties, sometimes played in trios to accompany traditional dances like the Kintauri. These instruments often had reeds made of cane, which created a softer and more pleasant sound than the metallic ones once used by Arabs.

Noble feasts and singing servants

Noble households often trained young servants to dance elegantly and sing Mingrelian songs. During great feasts, these servants were seated at a separate table and performed like an orchestra once the first course was served.

Motor omnibus travel cost and duration

A motor omnibus journey from the Grand Hotel in Vladikavkaz to Tiflis cost 30 roubles and took one day.

Travel times by carriage and coach

Travelers crossing the Caucasus from Vladikavkaz to Tiflis by diligence coach took two days, whereas a furgon (a van) required four days.

Free public education salaries

Public schools were free, and instructors received a medium-level salary of 200 silver rubles a year, which was equivalent to the pay of a lower-level official.

Inexpensive wine rations

The daily ration of wine in Tbilisi was said to be a tonk, containing five to six bottles, with common wine costing less than one cent per bottle.

Abundant river fish in daily diet

Trout and salmon were so abundant in local rivers that even people with little money could serve them at home.

Bear meat for sale in Tiflis

In Tiflis, bear meat was sold in the markets alongside beef and at similar prices.

Food costs in Tiflis, 1914

In February 1914, staples like bread and meat cost 4 and 14 kopecks per girvanka (about 409 grams), respectively, in Tiflis.

Tiflis worker daily wages in 1914

In 1914, the average daily wage for a worker in Tiflis was 2 rubles and 39 kopecks, though earnings varied by trade, with day laborers earning 80 kopecks and blacksmiths 2 rubles.

Human-powered moving of heavy furniture

In Tiflis, furniture vans were unknown, so families hired 60 to 80 human carriers to move their belongings piece by piece, even carrying pianos by hand.

Reduction of daily working hours

Working days in large industrial settings were reduced from 12-13 hours down to 7-8 hours following labor reforms implemented by the Social Democratic government.