Стр. 167 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

167
Horse chul. Wool. Flat-weave. Iravan group. Keshishkend, Daralayaz, western Azerbaijan. 193x161. 1291 AH/1870 CE.
The date 1291 AH appears inside the brown scheme at the bottom of the carpet. This chul
(horse cover) was woven on the basis of a Shirvan composition. The camel chul woven using a
zili technique is divided into three parts. The central part with a brown background is divided
into schemes. Inside the scheme at the top part of the chul, rhombic, floral, tree, and bird-like
motifs are depicted. At the top and bottom, the scheme is surrounded with stripes decorated
with rhomboid and other classic elements. The horizontal stripes with a turquoise background
are adorned with hooked motifs and bird figures standing face-to-face. Since ancient times, the
legendary images employed in different samples of Azerbaijan’s decorative-applied art, includ-
ing carpets, represented special artistic meanings on the products they decorated. One of these
images is a bird image. Scientific research shows that some bird images used to be applied in
connection with old religious rites and mythical beliefs in ancient times. As centuries went by,
the decorative content was given more attention in these images. Later, these images turned into
traditional decorative elements becoming stylized and abstract. The images of stylized peacocks
and four-legged imaginary double birds on narrow brown background stripes are found on car-
pets and embroidery belonging to the Guba and Karabakh Groups. One of the most widespread
bird images in Azerbaijan carpets is the peacock. Throughout the centuries, this image was re-
peatedly employed in different areas of the decorative-applied art of Azerbaijan and continues
to be used today as well.
Inside the brown background scheme in the center of the chul, three horse images are depict-
ed. There are human images on the horses. The horse image on Azerbaijani carpets and carpet
products is one of the most widespread images. This animal has always played a significant role
in the agriculture and daily life of Azerbaijani people. Since ancient times, the horse images de-
picted on Azerbaijani carpets and carpet products were signs of respect for these animals. There
is valuable information about horses in the “Book of Dede Korkut,” one of the masterpieces of
Azerbaijan that is called the “Mother Book.” Horse totems used to be a symbol of honor, hero-
ism, and victory for Oghuz tribes. The chul is surrounded with a border designed with rhombic
elements on all sides. A border design is found on the right and left and at the top and bottom
of the chul. There are evil-eye-catcher goshabuynuz (double-horned) motifs inside the border.
Zigzag motifs and white su (water) surrounds the schemes and border stripes on the middle
field of the chul. A brick red scheme encircles the navy blue background field from right and left.
Stylized camels, peacocks, four-legged imaginary birds, small medallions, octagonal stars, and
various floral elements are depicted on these schemes. The border of the chul is adorned with
rhombic motifs. Jutbuynuz (double-horned) and small rhombs are depicted inside these motifs.
The small rhombs are interpreted as evil-eye-catchers. Inside the brick red schemes, there are
zigzag motifs designed with navy blue and red from inside and light blue and red from outside
that are attached to the border walls. There are male images on the right and left at the top. The
colors of the chul are harmonized with professionalism and consistency, creating a very attrac-
tive color palette.