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 Shirvan Marasali Tachte rug / Şirvan Mərəzə Taxt Xalçası

CODE:
SHRMRS04

Size (metric): 148x190cm

Size (ft): 4'9"x6'2"

Area: 2.81 m2

Density: 160 000 knots per square meter, totally 450 000 knots

Weaving period: 4 months

Colors: madder red, mauve/purple, dark medium blue, midnight blue, cerulean blue, dark yellow, light yellow, dark forest green, light green (sage green-variegated), ivory, dark brown, light brown.

Dyes: madder, weld (Reseda Luteola), indigo, pomegranate skins, walnut husks, natural dark brown sheep wool, natural light brown sheep wool, natural ivory sheep wool
Materials: Handcarded and handspun wool for pile, wool warps (natural ivory and brown twist) and ivory wool wefts (two shots)

Knots:
Gördes (Turkish, symmetrical)

Pile height: 0.5cm

Ends:
thin plaited fringes

Inscriptions:
t
he word takht (means "throne")

Handwoven in Azerbaijan

Weavers' name: Yasemen

Design:
inspired by the antique Marasali Tachte rug published at Ian Bennett's Oriental Rugs Volume I plate no: 271 click here to view the picture



tachte (takht) - means "throne" in Turkic and Persian languages.



ala gapi (gate) element

 

 

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A part of the central field depicts a group of people performing a collective dance, reminiscent of the national dance of Azerbaijan, called Yalli. The carpet weavers of the region calls this element "el ele", which means hand in hand.

A 15 000 years old petroglyph shown above from Gobustan. Gobustan’s ancient rock carvings, or petroglyphs have been carefully studied by anthropologists, archeologists, and historians. The research has led to a deeper understanding of the lifestyles, belief systems, and migration routes of the peoples who lived in this region in the distant past. The evidence gathered in Gobustan suggests that our human ancestors existed in this region over many millennia, as early as the Upper Pleistocene period. Gobustan is located 60 kms to the south east of Mazara village

 

Yalli Dance, Gobustan, 10 m north of "Ana-zaga" cave (Mother cave), Beyukdesh Mountain, upper terrace


 



 

Tachte (takht) - means "throne" in Turkic and Persian language.

According to Doris Eder  (the author of "Orientteppiche Band 1 : KAUKASISCHE TEPPICHE"), the significance of Tachte Shirvan rugs rests in the peculiar large symbol on those rugs, for  representing an Avar throne. The Avar were a militarized equestrian Turkic people which established an empire spanning considerable areas of Central and Eastern Europe from the late 6th to the early 9th century.

According S.Azadi, this element is representing an animal throne composition.

Some rug connoisseurs  claim that this element represents the Arch of the Law, and dancing figures are the Jewish men performing some rituals.


 

tree of life element




so called "glass and leaf" (or calyx and leaf) border

a rug with the calyx and leaf border can seen in "Jesus in the House of Marta" (c. 1535), by Vasco Fernandes (better known as Grão Vasco)



Veneto-Lombard School
Portrait of a Young Nobleman, circa 1545 shows a Caucasian rug with the so called "calyx and leaf"  border
 



King Henry VIII, 1537-1557?
Unknown, after Holbein.
Petworth House.

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