Page 33 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Azerbaijani carpets / TABRIZ GROUP
This carpet was devoted to Ibn Sina.
Abu Ali Ibn Sina (980-1037) is one of the greatest physicians of mankind. He was born
in Bukhara and wrote many works in his short lifetime: “Hujjat al-Haq” (Proof of the
Truth), “Seykh-ur-Reis” (great, wise), “Harami buzurq” (Canon of Medicine), and “Sharaf
ul-Mulk” (the most honorable man of the country).
Abu Ali Ibn Sina is known by different names. In Europe he is known as Avicenna, in Iran
as Bu Ali Sina or Ebnisina or Abu Ali Sina, and in Azerbaijan as Ibn Sina.
At the age of eighteen, he was treating statesmen and other celebrities and he became more
popular. He had a very anxious lifestyle. As a scientist who knew Islam and philosophy, he
had a lot of enemies too. For this reason, he was obliged to move from one town to another
very often. He spent the last years of his life in Isfahan and Hamadan. In Hamadan, the shah
ordered him to be a doctor, then vizier. Ibn Sina gained great respect as a vizier as well. His
works are known worldwide, especially his “Medical Encyclopedia” in four volumes, vari-
ous philosophical books, and works about astronomy and metaphysics.
His “Medical Science Law” (in five volumes) was translated into Latin in the 12th century
and was used as the only medical textbook in European schools for a long time. The book
includes human anatomy and many illnesses, their causes and treatments, internal dis-
eases, eye and skin problems, children’s diseases, surgical methods, various advice, and
much more. Ibn Sina was distinguished for his knowledge and skill in various fields,
such as philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medicine, and music
and was interested in the definitions of mathematical terms and in performing careful
astronomical observations.
Ibn Sina introduced the philosophical training, “Messa” (Walking Wellness), becoming
synonymous with this private school and the term “Messa.” Ibn Sina became a master
in philosophy. He was a follower of Al-Farabi. He was also one of the men spreading phi-
losophy in the East. He was in prison for four years for his thoughts about philosophy and
medicine.
On the carpet’s ivory background middle field appears Ibn Sina’s reflection sitting on a
mattress with a red-covered book in his hand. The general view of the carpet suggests that Ibn
Sina’s students came to take lessons from him and ask him questions. The secretary, sitting on the left corner at the bottom
of the middle field, is writing and documenting Ibn Sina’s words. There are two brown and red covered books at the bottom
of the middle field. On one book is written “Ibn Sina” and on the edge is written, “Kashan Carpet woven by Sarafraz.” On
the edge of the other book, it reads “the artist Asfari.”
The Azerbaijanis living in the province of Kashan wove very beautiful carpets. The Azerbaijani artist Asfari and the
weaver Sarafraz mentioned in the carpet created masterful artistic samples. The scene of Ibn Sina and his students talking
is accurately depicted here. The gestures and impressions of each character show their attitudes to the subject. None of the
characters described here seem incidental or passive; the artist expressed their attitudes in detail and the weaver copied it
to the carpet with a special tenderness. When looking at the carpet, there is an overall vision and the dynamics inside the
gaps arouse interest.
The students, at various ages and in various clothes, with books in their hands
and under their arms, raise their hands to ask question, think deeply, raise ob-
jections, or show amazement show Ibn Sina’s talks as interesting and compre-
hensive.
The ivory background main border surrounds the middle field. The main bor-
der is decorated with pink, ivory, blue, and white flowers and green and brown
leaves.
The main border is encircled by a minor border filled with blue and dark blue
flowers and dark red and dark blue branches on the inside; on the outside it
is filled with blue and dark blue flowers and red and dark blue branches. The
outer border’s edges are dark blue and ivory and the edges of the inner border
are completed with ivory and red “su” (water).
Twelve color shades were used on the carpet. The harmony of colors is pro-
fessional. The carpet has an artistic, historic, and scientific importance. It is in
excellent condition. Its pile is made of wool and its wrap and weft are made
of cotton. The carpet was woven with a technique called “shirazi dolama.” Its
loom is one centimeter and the fringe is three centimeters. The thickness of the
carpet is 60x60.