Стр. 22 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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composition is known as “Chanakhli baga”
because of the unique large “gyol” (medallion)
woven in the center.
The much-loved “Garachop” carpet has
been woven by Azerbaijanis living in the main
weaving centers in the northeast of Gazakh, in
Garachop, Georgia, and in Lambali, Muganli,
and Tuller. The “Garachop” carpet contains
large eight-cornered “gyol” in the central space
and four geometric eight-angled and acute-
angled elements, ornamented with hooks
resembling horns on the top and bottom. The
graphical composition of the “Garachop” carpet
is connected with agriculture, sowing, and the
life of people who were engaged in breeding
cattle.
Totem signs and symbols of various
tribes are found in Gazakh-Borchaly group
carpets. “Gazakh-Borchaly” carpets are often
decorated with fylfot designs.
The “Shikhli” carpet has a distinctive
graphic composition and was made in the
settlements of Shikhli I and Shikhli II, where
traditional weaving was widely developed.
Three six-angled ornaments in spaced across
the carpet, and cypress trees in the “gyol”
directed towards the center of the carpet
represent paradise. The birds, deer-shaped
animals, small diamonds, squares, stars,
and other geometric elements on this carpet
immortalize specific graphical-historical
traditions of this region.
The traditions of this carpet group are
included in pile carpets. Such harmony
amongst colors, graphic composition,
ornamental mastery, and weaving methods of
kilim, palas, zili, flat weave carpets, and other
carpet products such as khurjun, mafrash,
orkan, sufra, and mutakha can also be found in
other carpet groups. Flat weave carpets were
widely used by shepherds in erecting and
furnishing tents and carrying goods.
Flat weave carpets included in the Gazakh-
Borchaly group have specific features, which
are especially visible on kilims. The graphic
composition of kilims that are known as
“Gadirga kilim” consist of perpendicular colored
strips, due to the specific composition of the
cotton yarn. This type of kilim is sometimes
called “Garaagaj,” since it contains a long strip
resembling a tree and scalloped edges.
Repetition of Turkmen carpet elements are
observed on some Gazakh-Borchaly carpets.
Large elements consisting of human characters
or God, found in Turkmen carpets, are woven
on a smaller scale in Gazakh-Borchaly carpets,
and known as “alma.” The same parallels
are observed on the carpets woven in the
“Borchaly” region of the Gazakh-Borchaly
group and in the southern and eastern regions
of China by Uyghur Turkic tribes living in the
Xotan region. The weaving style, colors, and
pomegranate shapes considered sacred for
much of history remain as visible on carpets
today as in ancient times.
“Namazlyg” (prayer carpet) differ from
other carpets in the Gazakh-Borchaly group.
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