"The “Bird of Paradise” ornament is inspired by the decorative motifs found on ktetor clothing depicted in the 17th-century frescoes of the Martvili Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin.
What makes this source interesting is not only the form itself, but also the textile culture behind it. In 17th-century Western Georgia, fabric was not decorated only with embroidery or precious stones; there was also a tradition of painted textiles. Such details on clothing reflected the taste of the period, craft techniques, and social status.
In “Bird of Paradise,” the historical motif seems to move between a bird and a flower. The form never fully becomes either one — and that uncertainty is where its character remains."
