Carpet weaving stands as one of the most ancient and revered arts in Azerbaijan, with archaeological evidence and historical literature indicating that this craft has roots that stretch back to the dawn of civilization. The artistry involved in creating Azerbaijani carpets has been celebrated in numerous historical texts, classical literature, and folklore, highlighting their significance in the cultural heritage of the region.
Describing an Azerbaijani carpet is a challenge; it is an experience that must be witnessed firsthand. Each carpet is a vibrant tapestry that reflects the rich colors of Azerbaijan’s natural landscape—the deep blue of the sky, the lush greens of the forests, the shadows cast by majestic mountain slopes, and the pristine white of snow-capped peaks. The enchanting hues of these carpets evoke the ruby reds of pomegranate seeds, the golden glow of quince, the warm copper tones of saffron, and the delicate lilac shades of grapes. The intricate textures, imaginative designs, and exceptional craftsmanship encapsulate the essence of Azerbaijani carpets.
Archaeological findings and historical documents suggest that carpet weaving was well established in Azerbaijan during the Bronze Age. Ancient historians such as Herodotus, Claudius Elian, and Xenophon have referenced this art form in their works. During the Sassanid Dynasty (3rd to 7th centuries), Azerbaijani carpet artistry underwent significant development, resulting in luxurious carpets made from silk and adorned with gold and silver threads. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the production of carpets woven with precious metals and embellished with jewels became a traditional practice. Azerbaijani silk carpets were notably celebrated in the epic “Kitabi Dede Korkud.” During the 13th and 14th centuries, Azerbaijan exported a substantial number of carpets and related items to foreign markets.
Azerbaijani carpets can be categorized based on their technical characteristics into two main types: pile and pileless. Pileless carpets represent an earlier stage in the evolution of weaving art and are further classified according to their weaving style, composite structure, ornamentation, and color richness. There are eight primary types of pileless carpets: Palas, Dzhejim, Lady, Kilim, Shedde, Verni, Zili, and Sumakh.
Azerbaijan is home to seven major carpet weaving schools, each distinguished by unique patterns, compositions, color palettes, and techniques. These schools include the Quba, Baku (or Absheron), Shirvan, Ganja, Gazakh, Karabakh, and Tabriz schools. Here’s a closer look at each:
Quba School: Carpets from this region feature stylized vegetative and sometimes zoomorphic motifs, characterized by geometric patterns.
Baku School: Known for their softness and vibrant colors, Baku carpets showcase original artistic elements and intricate patterns. Common motifs include oval shapes (referred to as “gyoly”) and curvilinear vegetative designs, predominantly in deep blue, with occasional red and yellow accents.
Shirvan School: Renowned for their rich, complex patterns, Shirvan carpets have been admired since the Middle Ages, with their designs capturing the attention of European artists as early as the 14th and 15th centuries.
Ganja School: This region has long been celebrated for its silk and woolen fabrics, producing exquisite silk carpets. Ganja has been recognized for centuries as a center of high-quality carpet making, with specialized workshops dedicated to this craft.
Gazakh School: Similar to Ganja, Gazakh carpets are known for their harmonious color palettes, created using a limited number of colors. The patterns from this school also attracted the interest of European artists during the Middle Ages.
Karabakh School: Karabakh carpets are particularly popular for their five-piece sets, known as gyabe, which are designed to complement home interiors. These carpets boast a rich color palette that reflects the subtle shades found in Karabakh’s natural beauty. Traditionally, the background of Azerbaijani carpets is filled with vibrant red hues, and the dyes used are derived from both plants and insects, with cochineal being the most favored.
Tabriz School: The Tabriz school is one of the oldest and most esteemed in Azerbaijan, flourishing as early as the 11th and 12th centuries. By the 13th and 14th centuries, Tabriz carpets began to exhibit characteristics of miniature art, reaching their zenith of development in the 16th and 17th centuries. Both pile and pileless carpets from this school are distinguished by their intricate decorations, harmonious color schemes, and diverse ornamentation.
