Azerbaijani rugs
Azerbaijani rugs are a product of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has been known as a place with a large variety of rug crafts. The archeological dig on the territory of Azerbaijan testifies to them having a well developed agriculture. These include, live stock raising, metal working, pottery and ceramics, and last but not least carpet-weaving that dates as far back as the 2nd millennium BC.
The most ancient carpet ever discovered was the famous Pazyryk carpet of the VI-V century BC which was found during the excavations in the Altai Mountains. The Gultapin excavations discovered carpet weaving tools which date back to the IV-III millennium BC. For many centuries during the historical existence of our nation both settled and nomadic ways of life were of importance. A carpet per se is democratic, however its real folk character is about something else. A carpet was meant to unite people, to cultivate the sense of collectivism, mutual aid, and friendly cohesion. An Azerbaijani carpet, which embodies numerous and various functions, is in fact something more that just a combination of these purposes. An Azerbaijani carpet is not only one of the most important elements in the national way of life, not only a variety of the arts and crafts, but also a key link to the ethical and moral principles and customs of the people's existence.
The carpet making was born in rural huts and with time ranked among the most essential arts. It was highly valued by the heads of states, and the gifted weavers were glorified by the greatest poets. The carpet history is assumed to be divided into the following four main periods:
- I period - the early stage of the carpet development. The carpet ware is very simple, without any motifs and patterns. The first palas and djedjims appear.
- II period - introduction of the kilim weaving practice by the intricate threading technique.
- III period - weaving of shadda, verni, sumakh, zili. The period of simple and complex whipping techniques.
- IV period - introduction of the knotted pile weaving. Both from the technical and artistic standpoints this stage can be considered the acme of the carpet making.