Karabakh Carpets

Zilli carpet is characterized by stylized forms of animals and vegetal elements. In terms of their composition and pattern the Azerbaijani zillis are very diverse.

They feature the images of large elements in the shape of big lozenges, paired horns, various stylized elements.

The composition of the carpet consists of a central field and a border strip. The central field of the carpet has been decorated with «S»-shaped elements and consists of two parts.

Mainly white, yellow, navy-blue, orange, light red, green and brown colors have been used.

In XVIII century Karabakh carpet-weaving school was assembled in Shusha. In XVIII century along with classical flavored carpets, new carpet compositions with ornaments taken from household goods such as "Baghçadagullər", "Saxsıdagullər", and "Bulud”.

Color palette of Karabakh carpets is so affluent. This palette comprises all undertones of nature of Karabakh. Historically, interim part of Azerbaijan carpets is dyed in red. Besides various plants, these colors are gained from different kind of insects. The most popular insect from which red color is produced is scale insect. This insect is called “insect of red”, “red worm”, "insect of oak”.

Bull is a symbol of power and courage, as well as symbolizing “space forces”, the God of water, and farming. In the middle composition of the carpet consists of horn drawings. The middle part of these carpets creates horizontal raw by accepted rules, which consists of similar elements and ornaments.

In one hand asymmetric structure of horns makes carpet more vivid, on the other hand creates opportunuty to weave carpet how you want. Details in different forms comprising basic element of carpet are sorrounding “Buynuz” has function such as filling.

Carpets known as a Karabakh were and are currently produced in all carpet-weaving factories of Azerbaijan. Depending on the production place carpets are named differently, but masters call these carpets “Karabakh”. In XIX century in Shusha, carpets called “Khan” or “Khan Karabakh” having these composition were produced for export to Istanbul markets, with the same composition carpets weaved in Guba were called “Africa”.

Carpets with the name “Karabakh” have several types:

1. Consisting of several medallions composition of middle part reminds naxisli curtains of Iran and India cloths. You can come across medallians on the cover of Kuran written by Tabriz artists in XV-XVII centuries and on the cover of literary books. Titles on the upper and down part of medallion fill in the gaps.

2. Karabakh carpets have also one kind called “Chini-cheshni” by carpet-weavers. The composition of carpets consists of 8 angled medallions in one row.

Flat-woven carpets differ from each other through their weaving techniques, compositional structure, ornamentation, and color schemes.

Palas and jejim, the compositions of which characterized by colored stripes of different widths, are woven with the simple interweaving technique. Kilim, decorated with a variety of geometric patterns, consisting of four- and six-pointed shapes, with medallion “kilimgulu” and so on, is woven with complex interweaving techniques.

Flat-woven carpets like varni, shadda, zili, and sumakh are woven by wrapping of third weft around warp, which gives the ability to create complex patterns: stylized dragon in the shape of letter S or Z, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs, plant ornaments, composition “Khatai”, etc.

The composition of the carpet consists of a central field and a border. The carpet has been decorated with butas and floral elements.

The border surrounding the carpet consists of three ornament lines.

Kilim is the most widespread type of flat-woven carpets. They are made by passing the weft through the warp using the technique of compound interweaving. Kilim is characterized by a slot-like gap (opening) around the geometrical patterns. These openings impart a lace effect the kilim.

The technique of kilim weaving predetermines the pattern shapes in the form of a lozenge, triangle, trapezium. Nearly all the vegetal elements, images of animals, birds and humans are geometrized in kilims. Kilims of different regions are distinguished by their composition, pattern, and colors.

Geometrical ornaments have been depicted on the red field. The border surrounding the carpet is consist of four parts.

Mainly red, blue and black colours have been used.