Page 78 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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The central field depicts motifs of plants, household objects, animals,
human beings, as well as different elements (stepped, square, rectangle,
multi-angular, hooked, scalloped-acute angles, thorn, round, eight-pointed
stars, or figures with indefinite forms).
All plant motifs depicted on Nakhchivan carpets are divided into two
types: geometrical and curvilinear elements.
Geometrical elements are used mainly as filler or secondary elements in
the carpet composition or play a secondary combining role. Curvilinear
motifs are much more conventionalized than geometric motifs. Elements
from the Tabriz group in the 15th – 16th centuries strongly influenced the
Nakhchivan group.
Nakhchivan carpets depict animals both domestic and wild, as well as
birds and insects. The deer motif, which is often observed on Nakhchivan
carpets, was a common totem for all Turks and had the same symbol-
ic meaning. The deer was a symbol of progress and supreme power for
Turkish-speaking peoples. The tree-like antlers of the deer are a symbol
of rejuvenation, revival, and prolonging of time. The bull (derived from
depictions of water) is a symbol of force and power. Ancient depictions of
bulls were discovered in Shumer, CaucasianAlbania, and Central Asia. The
depiction of the bull decorates the emblem of the fifteenth-century Shirva-
The color range of
Nakhchivan carpets is
rich. The colors of these
carpets are bright and
contrasting. These colors
were inspired by the
natural geographical
conditions, beautiful
landscapes, gardens,
forests, and green
meadows of Nakhchivan.
Carpet fragment. Wool. Pile weave. Beginning of 18th century. Nakhchivan Group. Azerbaijan. From private collection.