Page 74 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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The “Ajdahali” carpet is one of the most rare samples woven in Guba. The carpet
has manuscript elements and is woven from wool. It has a tender and fine weaving
style, a high knot density, and bright colors. This carpet was woven in Afurja vil-
lage, Guba region. The carpet consists of a central field and a border strip consisting
of two lines. Pinks have been woven on the branches in the external border. On the
second internal border, “qarmaq” motifs have been equally placed in successive or-
der. The color of the central field of the carpet is dark blue. Generally, in most Guba
carpets the background is woven in dark blue and this color reflects the color of the
sky. Very rich patterns have been woven on the “open sky” of this carpet.
The bright red and stepped gols woven in the center of the carpet grab the atten-
tion. An exclusive pattern makes the carpet different from others; “ajdaha” (dragon)
elements with hooked heads and oblong forms cover the gol diagonally from the
upper and lower part. This pattern may be seen on most carpets of Azerbaijan, in-
cluding “Alpan” and “Gasimushaghi.” There are also “Ajdahali” carpets with differ-
ent artistic structures woven in Karabakh. The same composition may be observed
sometimes in Guba flat weave “sumakh” carpets.
This “Ajdahali” carpet is very original. The style of the patterns woven on the car-
pet proves its antiquity. The “ajdaha” element surrounds the gols on two sides, wo-
ven horizontally and vertically in parallel. In the art history of Turkish-speaking
peoples, “ajdaha” represents only positive and kind forces. From this point of view,
the background of the carpet represents the sky, the gol represents the sun, and the
ajdaha (dragon) can be considered the protective force.
Other secondary elements decorating the central field of the carpet are very inter-
esting in their meaning. Three-petal leaves, “charkhi-falak,” and small zoomorphic
elements woven in the center are woven in a different color tone distinguished from
the background. The multiple colors make the carpet more attractive.
Eight-pointed stars, rectangles, triangles, rhombs, s-shaped patterns, and flowers
inside the gol lend a secret meaning to the carpet.
If the eight-pointed star carries its conventional meaning as the beginning point
of the earth, then the rectangle is interpreted as the four elements, and the triangle
is a sign pointing the way to God. The s-shaped elements represent water, life, and
purity while the flowers symbolize eternal life.
Some repair and restoration work has been conducted on the fringe of the carpet.
The carpet is in excellent condition. The carpet is of artistic, historic, and scientific
importance.