Page 18 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

Rich artifacts were also found in Khojavend, Agoglan,
and other territories of Karabakh.
Since prehistoric times, the city of Barda has been famous
inKarabakh. Barda became the residence of rulers, amilitary
fortress, a trading center, and a magnificent center of fine
arts.
In describing this city, Ibn Hovgal, an Arabian historian of the 9th
century, called it the Mother of Arran. According to written sources, over
100,000 people populated Barda in the 7th – 10th centuries. Four big markets
and special handicraft-making centers existed in the city. During this period,
Barda exported its silk to Iran and Khuzistan and carpets were made by
special order.
Another author, Al-Mugaddasi, wrote that Barda was the main city, or the
“Bagdad,” of this province. He described the carpets of Karabakh and Barda
as well.
The Arabian author Al-Istehri (10th century) wrote that Barda exported
madder (an herb-made red dye) to India, whileAl-Mugaddasi and Ibn Hovgal
described red cochineal dye called “ghyrmyz” exported even to Europe.
The 11th and 12th centuries were a period of Azerbaijani renaissance,
economic growth, urban expansion, and development of many types of art.
At that time, along with many other regions, the carpets of the Karabakh
region became very famous in Middle Eastern markets.
Strongly influenced by the Uygur (Turkic minority) culture and Chinese
communities in the first half of the 13th century and the middle of the 14th
century, Mongols brought elements of their culture into Azerbaijan. As a
result, new designs and patterns emerged in Azerbaijani fine arts, particularly
in carpet weaving. As one of the most developed applied arts, themes and
compositions used in carpet weaving were also reflected in Karabakh carpets.
Progress was observed in Azerbaijani fine arts, particularly carpet making
in the 15th and 16th centuries. Many European artists depicted Azerbaijani
carpets in their paintings, which decorated the mansions of Europeans at that
time. The carpets of Karabakh held a special place among all carpets depicted
by artists. The «Mugan» carpet included in the Karabakh Group is seen in the
paintings of Hans Memling (15th century), such as «Maria with Child» and
«Portrait of a Young Man.»
Under the rule of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736), carpet-weaving centers
grew rapidly. Beautiful carpets were made in the region of Karabakh also at
that time.
In the 18th century, the Karabakh carpet-making school was located
mainly in Shusha, called the pearl of Azerbaijan.
These carpets were called Khojavand first. Since the 18th century, they
were known as Khojan, and since the 19th century as Goja in Shusha. Actually,
the name of Goja carpets is linked to the village of Khojavand.
The city of Shusha in Azerbaijan was famous for its unique carpets since
ancient times. The carpet-making arts were enriched by national traditions
and witnessed several stages of their development in this region.
Herd at pasture.
Karabakh.
Trade bridge.
Barda. XII – XIV centuries.
16