It's easy to miss this fine house with elegant carved pillars tucked away behind railings opposite the Bikajanbeka Ensemble. In times past it served as an upper class guesthouse for the many travel weary 'Caravanbashi' (literally 'caravan leaders') of laden camel trains passing through Khiva. Whilst the ordinary traders were accommodated in the bustling Allah Kuli Khan Caravanserai and dervishes (Muslim pilgrims) stayed in the holy Tort Shalbaz complex, the caravan leaders relaxed and exchanged trading tips in the peace and quiet of this spacious lodging house.
Today the building houses a craft centre which presides over the interests of over a hundred craftspeople throughout Khiva and Urgench. These folks include wood carvers, carpet weavers, potters and plasterworkers whose skills have contributed to the alabaster decorations in the Amir Temur Museum in Tashkent. Plans are afoot to set up workshops in the grounds so that tourists can see the craftspeople in action.
There is also a small museum dedicated to Ota Polvonov, the renowned wood carver and grandfather of the craft centre manager. He received national and international recognition for his talents as far afield as Paris and Moscow and is admired as the father of the modern style of Khorezm woodcarving. The museum displays some excellent examples of his handicraft, several wood carving tools plus black and white photographs of the master at work.