Page 34 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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The Zeykhur area of Guba gained fame due to its classic carpets. The carpet was
woven in Gadazeykhur village, Gusar region. This preserved “Zeykhur” carpet is
pile weave, wool, and contains manuscript elements. The carpet consists of a central
field and three border strips. Two full gol were woven vertically and two half gols
called “Khatai” due to their forms were woven horizontally on the ivory backgro-
und of the central field. The gols are placed in an artistic network structure in the
central field.
The central field and border strip of the carpet are trimmed with stylized geomet-
rical and plant patterns. Each pattern carries a symbolic meaning. The central field is
regarded as a sacred place, and the border strips are considered a protective struc-
ture defending the symbolic world. The two wide border strips consist of repeated
patterns. The first external border is reminiscent of the claw of a bird and is similar
to samples of Azerbaijani art belonging to the pre-Christian era. Similar hooked ele-
ments are repeated on some Guba carpets, even on the border strip of flat weave
“sumakh” carpets. The second central border strip consists of three-petal foliage
elements. Such three-petal foliage motifs represent the most primitive description of
the tree of life. The third narrow dark blue border strip is trimmed with “mollabas-
hi” elements. The “mollabashi” element has a complex structure. The pattern is cre-
ated as a result of combining triangular and rhomboid geometrical elements related
to ancient beliefs. In their symbolic meaning, triangles are signs of the sacred way
rising to the sky and the rhomb is considered a symbol of increase, continuance, and
abundance. The “mollabashi” element created as a result of combining these two
geometrical elements is observed on the border strips of Guba and Shirvan carpets
in different ornamental or schematic forms.
Many branch, square, rhomb, and s-shaped secondary elements in addition to the
main gol element in the central field of the carpet have been described. As every
carpet serves as an important information carrier, the patterns each depict different
information.
The four projections, or diagonally crossed four arms, constituting the gol and the
cross-like main element woven horizontally and vertically among these elements are
trimmed with ornamental and geometrical plant patterns. The element in the center
of the gol is reminiscent of a plus sign and is the most primitive form of the fylfot
element observed on stone samples found in the Neolithic Age symbolizing the four
elements of life: water, fire, earth, and air. The symmetrical patterns decorating the
inside of the gol grab the viewer’s attention.
The color arrangement is attractive. The deep colors used in the dark blue, dark
red, and brown background of the border strips and gol, as well as other separate
elements open the color tone of the white and ivory central field and give it color
dynamics.
The carpet is in perfect condition. It has been woven on the basis of the classic tech-
nological and artistic traditions of the Guba group. The carpet is of artistic, historic,
and scientific importance.
Some repair and restoration work has been conducted in the fringes of the carpet.
The carpet is in excellent condition. The carpet is of artistic, historic, and scientific
importance.