Page 50 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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The “Guba” carpet is of the most ancient “cheshni.” The carpet was woven in Atuj
village, Guba region. The carpet was woven from wool, it has manuscript elements,
and its weaving technique is “turkbaf.”
The carpet consists of a central field and border. The border contains four lines
in different sizes. Each line has its own free border patterns. The first border strip
beginning from the edge has been decorating with “qarmaq” elements repeated suc-
cessively. This element is reminiscent of a bird claw. The bird has been considered
sacred in the territory of Azerbaijan according to the old beliefs. It is observed on
pottery samples found during archaeological excavations that birds have been de-
picted with trees in the same manner.
In the initial period, birds expressed mystical imagination, and from this belief it
was often depicted on artwork. Eventually, this sanctity became the sign of the 24
bird images that symbolically protected the 24 Oghuz sagas. In art, these sacred be-
ings are depicted in different forms. For example, sometimes carpets are woven with
realistic form (as on the central field), but sometimes they are woven only as details.
The second and the third border strip are trimmed with plant elements. The inside
of the last border strip is in the form of a zigzag. This element is often observed in
the patterns of border strips. The zigzag belongs to the time when heavenly bodies
were idolized; people were afraid of lightning and idolized it, because they did not
know the meaning of its strike.
The central part of the carpet is trimmed with very rich patterns. An oblong he-
xagonal gol has been placed in the center. Five flower depictions have been woven
inside the gol. Around the surface of the gols, there are trims of different forms and
sizes of birds. The birds are depicted with crowns, four feet, two heads, as ducks,
doves, and in other forms.
The “Guba” carpet is very original. The carpet is considered one of the most valu-
able classic samples of folk art.
From the standpoint of color, mysterious patterns have been collected on the car-
pet and a warm color is felt.
No repair or restoration work has been conducted on the carpet. The carpet is in
excellent condition. The carpet is of artistic, historic, and scientific importance.