Page 19 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Azerbaijani carpets / TABRIZ GROUP
famous art museums of the world and also at the Victoria and
Albert Museum.
“Ardabil” composition consists of attractive artistic and techni-
cal features as a worthy follower of ornamental carpets woven in
this territory from ancient times. Basing on the extant specimens
of “Ardabil” carpet we can say that its artistic features relate to Is-
lam religion. The parishioners used these small carpets for pray-
ing. Therefore, its artistic solution complied with the require-
ments of Islam religion. Not reducing the demand for this carpet
from the day of creation up to this day was a result of combining
artistic features and religious values.
The central main part of “Ardabil” carpet consists of writings
executed with delicate handwriting having religious meaning
and surrounded by stylized nabat patterns. Thesewritings, which
could be considered delicate calligraphy specimens, mainly con-
sist of ayahs taken from the Koran and various prayers. As a rule,
they are placed in the upper part of the carpet and not covered.
Existence of sanctuary in the praying carpets proves once more
artistic view of the patterns surrounding it and having common
composition elements with their functions.
In the Muslim world, “Namazlyk” composition has been en-
riched with a number of specimens in the Safavid period having
a profound respect for religious values. It is an interesting fact
that the first praying carpets in the East were woven in Azer-
baijan, in Tabriz. This consideration based on wide expansion
of this type of carpets in Azerbaijan and creation of its the best
specimens in this land. The relation of Tabriz group carpets
“Janamaz” and “Mehrabi” in Azerbaijan to “Tagi” and “Sajjade”
carpets in other Muslim countries differ from each other only in
their compositions.
Such carpets differs from others both with their compositions
and sizes. Namazlyk carpets are usually considered for using by
one person. Sometimes the carpets allowing to pray three-five
persons, and in rare cases for more persons were woven. Large
carpets, like namazlyk presented to mosques, were for mass
praying. Namazlyk carpet (16th c.) kept at Topkapi Palace muse-
um (Turkey) is very original in terms of artistic solution. Cloud
and flower palmettos creating pattern elements of cheshni show
eyes, brows and nose reflecting the main typical; features of hu-
man face. Also two namazlyk (both were woven in 17th century)
preserved at Topkapi Palace museum attracts attention for their
colors and different description motives. The magical rhythm
and sensitive colors of the patterns belonging to the carpet dem-
onstrated at Tehran National Museum (17th century) are one of
the features stipulating its artistic importance.
“Shahabbasi” carpet related to the name of Safavid ruler Shah
Abbas (1587-1629). It should be noted that this composition ap-
peared upon movement of the capital to Isfahan by Shah Abbas.
Although the artistic design of “Shahabbas” carpets can have
something in common with the famous “Afshan” composition, it
differs in its original cutting. Its the most vivid evidence is “Sha-
habbasi” flowers. This nabat ornament consists of flowers with
fantastic shapes and fig leaves, which are the symbol of the join-
ing of two beloveds. The asymmetric order of horizontal orna-
ment elements along the field is considered typical features of
“Shahabbasi” carpet.
The most widespread type
of pile carpet is the palas.
Palas are usually decorated
with horizontal stripes in
Azerbaijan. Though both
narrow and wide stripes are
found in Tabriz carpets, most
have wide stripes.
Carpets in everyday life.
Tabriz market. 13th century.