Page 76 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Striped palas dating from the primary period of carpet art and woven by
the “passing” method have three artistic development forms: simple, “water,”
and patterned. These artistic development forms are similar for the jejim as
well. The palas is generally widespread among people. The palas was usu-
ally woven on vertical looms and the jejim was woven on horizontal ground
looms.
The second period is actually the beginning of artistic and technical develop-
ment of the art of carpet weaving. In this period, the kilim developed through
the simple wrapping method. The technique enabled artists to weave simple
patterns on the carpets in primitive forms. As in other regions of the country,
palas and kilim were used as interior decoration as a floor covering or for
coverings of the outside of the traditional wedding dwellings in Nakhchivan.
In the third stage, the weaving technique for verni, shedde, zili, sumakh,
and ladi were invented. In this period when the complicated winding tech-
nique was widespread, great opportunities were created for complicating car-
pet patterns and developing of different-sized elements.
Shedde and verni from the third period of carpet weaving art made by the
complicated winding method illustrated that the people were engaged in
breeding cattle. Therefore, stylized animal motifs are observed on this kind
of carpet in this region. In the highlands of Nakhchivan, the shedde and verni
techniques were used for making horse, camel, and ox cloths, curtains, ma-
frash, and other items. Nakhchivan was a center for producing shedde and
verni. Silk verni are also found in Nakhchivan, although rarely. The patterns
and techniques used for zili woven by the complicated winding method are
more complicated than those of shedde or verni, especially concerning the
weaving form and artistic features. In addition to conventional animal motifs
of Nakhchivan, zili patterns also contained geometrical elements in primitive
forms. In this region, carpet items were woven by the sumakh technique.
Flat weave carpets and carpet items have their own specific ornaments.
These elements are combined to include striped palas, classic elements of
kilim, shedde, and verni, while zili, ladi, and sumakh elements are distin-
guished from one another.
Shedde. Wool. Flat weave. Middle of 19 th century. Nakhchivan Group. Azerbaijan. From private collection.
Duz torbasi (salt bag). Wool. Flat
weave. 19th century. Nakhchivan
Group. Azerbaijan.