Стр. 29 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Carpets are
considered very
important to the
people of the
Gazakh district. In
addition to floor
coverings, people’s
daily lives were
aided by such
carpet products as
horse covers, salt
bags, khurjuns,
mafrash, and
other handmade
goods. The weaving
technique and
color compositions
exemplify the
aesthetic outlook
of the local people.
They were occupied
in breeding cattle,
made fascinating
carpets using the
wool of pedigreed
sheep, and obtained natural dyes from plants.
Carefully decorated carpets were woven in this
area using lamb's wool. The carpet weavers
used professionally and naturally dyed wool
that lent a special tone to the carpets. The dyes
were obtained from various sources such as
the oils and “bazir” of wheat, barley, and flax
as well as different parts of bushes and flowers
growing in the mountains.
In 1830, a source alluded to the fact that
handmade products called “chul” were woven
by every family in Gazakh, in addition to
carpets, “shal,” and other woolen products.
According to the periodical press in 1880,
approximately 2000 carpets and 100 “chul”
were woven in the Gazakh district every year,
because it was one of the most prominent
sheep-breeding centers of Azerbaijan.
According to archival documents of 1880,
women were weaving carpets, “chuval,”
“mafrash,” and other products from sheep’s
wool, in addition to “shal” and “mahud” in
every village in the Gazakh and neighboring
regions.
Gazakh, along with Karabakh, is considered
the home of the “verni kilim.” This type of
“kilim” is distinguished by its fine weaving
technique and "lightness", compared to other
“kilims.” Previously, “verni” were used as
curtains, covers, blankets, and wall decorations.
Due to these features, “verni” resembled
woolen “jejim.”
Both flat weave and pile weave carpets
were sold in the bazaars of Gazakh, Ganja, and
Tbilisi and this tradition continues this day.
The main carpet weaving settlements
of the Gazakh district were the villages of
Abbasbayli, Agkoynak, Alpout, Aslanbayli,
Ashagi Askipara, Ashagi Salahli, Bala Jafarli,
Shikhli I, Janali, Jafarli, Chayli, Dash Salahli,
Damirchiler, Farahli, Huseynbayli, Khanliglar,
Kheyrimli, Shikhli II, Kamarli, Kosalar,
Gaymagli, Gazakhbayli, Gizilhajili, Orta Salahli,
and Yuxari Salahli.
1. Astanbayly village, Gazakh.
2. Saddle bag. Wool. Flat weave. Early 19th century.
Gazakh - Borchaly group. From a private collection.
3. Carpet. Wool. Pile weave. Mid 19th century. 295cm x 200cm.
Gazakh - Borchaly group. From a private collection.
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