Home of Zanat is a unique conceptual space: an exhibition and sales showroom for the Zanat brand, as well as a specialized bookstore and an event platform for promoting excellence in the fields of design, architecture, and craftsmanship.
Zanat is an award-winning Bosnian design brand renowned for its exceptional fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Rooted in a four-generation-old woodcarving heritage within the Nikšić family, a heritage that is part of UNESCO's World Heritage List, Zanat specializes in producing heirloom-quality hand-carved furniture and interior decoration objects that transcend functionality to become true works of art. With a name that translates to 'craft' in Bosnian, Zanat is a brand dedicated to skill, craftsmanship and artistry. Zanat collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned designers to create pieces that are not only aesthetically striking but also truly sustainable, using natural materials from sustainable sources and promoting traditional craftsmanship techniques. Celebrated for its unique design and cultural significance, Zanat embodies a commitment to preserving tradition alongside creativity and innovation, which has made it globally renowned in the world of contemporary design.
As the saying goes, it takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition. For Zanat, it has been just over a century. Over a century since the great grandfather Gano Nikšić learned a pioneering woodcarving technique in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and established the family tradition now spanning over four generations. In 1919 Gano’s sons opened the family workshop in Konjic. One hundred and five years later, Zanat opens first brick-and-mortar shop in the historic center of Bosnia’s capital - Sarajevo. The setting carefully selected for Zanat showroom is beloved Sarajevo address: the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, built around 1912.
The space will not only display Zanat’s latest collections, special and rare originals and samples, but it will also be a cultural hub in the city of festivals, a heart of Balkan's cultural scene.
As a novel space for talks, presentations, workshops and other cultural events, Home of Zanat invites visitors to witness the creative process, and learn about the richness of our traditions and contemporary accomplishments. Zanat is not a mere tenant in the National Gallery (the space that treasures Bosnia’s most precious artworks), but a partner in cultural education and promotion of fine and applied arts. Home of Zanat will nurture a deep connection with its numerous audiences from Sarajevo, the region and also around the world.
“We stand deeply aware of where we are coming from, how long it took us to arrive here, but with our eyes on the future, of not only Zanat but the magnificent and intricate craft we have been perfecting. We invite you to join us in celebrating one century of our craft, at a new spot on the cultural map of Sarajevo and the region.” Orhan Niksic, Zanat co-owner and CEO.
