Azerbaijani Carpet

History

Azerbaijan is a region located in a large part of the eastern CAUCASUS region and northwest-ern IRAN. The majority of the population is Azeri tribe in origin, speaking a Turkic dialect. For centuries much of Azerbaijan belonged to Persia, but in 1813 the northern portion of Azerbaijan was transferred to the Russian Tsarist Empire under the Treaty of Gulistan that was brokered by the British. In 1828 the British again assisted in a second agreement, named the Treaty of Turkmanchai, allowing the Russian Tsar to occupy the rest of Azerbaijan in the Caucasus region, the area north of the Aras River. Today Azerbaijan remains separated into two areas, known as the Azerbaijan Caucasus and the Azerbaijan Iran regions. Azerbaijan rugs from as early as the seventeenth century appear in the market. Their geometric style continues even into the modern period. In Azerbaijan, hundreds of towns and villages produce carpets that are popular for their beautiful folk art designs. Antique Azerbaijan rugs and carpets can be found in museums throughout the world. In addition, collectors and consumers appreciate the designs and coloration, paying high prices for older Azerbaijan rugs. Among the best known Azerbaijan Caucasian rugs are the BAKU, DAGHESTAN, KUBA, MOGHAN, SHIRVAN, and TALISH from the eastern portion of the Caucasus region. In the central and western areas are the notable weaving centers of GENDJE, KARABAGH, and KAZAK. Notably, the Karabagh region produced embroideries in folk art designs dating from the sev-enteenth century. These embroideries are charming in appearance and are rare in the antique market. Collectors and museums try to obtain these marvelous artifacts. The second-most well-known Azerbaijan region in northwestern Iran is famous for THE ARDEBIL CARPETS, dating to the sixteenth century. Notable TABRIZ carpets from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are on view in museums throughout the world.
These rugs range from small tribal pieces to large room sizes. Originally, room dimensions were rare in folk art weavings but soon saw demand in Western markets. Some villages were known to weave room-size carpets from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, such as BAKSHAISH, HERIZ, KARADJA, and SARAB, among others. These carpets play an important role in the antique and designer markets because only here were folk art designs woven in larger sizes. In Azerbaijan an important rug type is the silk HERIZ, which is in high demand by collectors, who pay top prices. Other Azerbaijan collectible items are the rare embroideries made in the South Caucasus region and SHAHSAVAN tribal rugs. Both are famous for their folk art designs and coloration. These weavings are also in high demand by collectors and muse-ums in the worldwide antique market. Rug and carpet weaving in both Azerbaijan regions supplied important income for families during the last four centuries.

Techniques and structures

Motifs and Designs

These carpets have floral patterns with medallion and allover designs and Safavid motifs of palmettes, leaves, birds, and animals. The * Hunting design was also used for Tabriz carpets. These traditional designs have continued to be made up to the present in Tabriz and other Azerbaijan cities. In Iranian Azerbaijan, most villages and towns are known for weaving geometric folk art rugs and carpets.