Kuba Gymyl village rug, Gimil rug, Caucasian Kuba rugs and carpets

Ref. No: 0407-29

Group: Kuba

Sub-Group: Gymyl

Origin Country: AZERBAIJAN, Gymyl Village (18kms to the southwest of Kuba)

General/Historical Information: Gymyl type of carpets appeared in Gabala region (one of the northern regions of Azerbaijan) in 14th-15th centuries and here it has been progressed. And later, in 18th century, it was spread to the carpet weaving districts of Kuba Region. (Gymyl is one of the carpet weaving districts of Kuba Region)

Note: Gabala is situated in the northeastern part of today’s Azerbaijan Republic. There is an interesting fact from well-known historiographer Abu Jafar Muhammad Tabari (10^th century), he specially mentioned that in the north eastern part of Azerbaijan carpets of high quality were manufactured. Gabala was the capital of Ancient Albania State, – which was existed from 4th century BC until 7th century AD, for 1100 years in the territory of Northern Azerbaijan. The same design is still used in Gabala region and has been called by old carpet makers as “Gadim Gabala" (Ancient Gabala). Today the carpet of the same design but with simple composition is called “Mammad Aghaly” in Gabala Region.

Gabala Carpet, 19th c.

Additionally, the same type of rugs have been made in Barda, Karabagh region. In Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi (Istanbul) there is an alongated type of lachak turunj design carpet (which is very similar to Gymyl), which was made in 1500^thin Barda.

Interesting Fact: 10^th century Muslim traveler and historian Al-Muqaddasi describing north Azerbaijani town of Barda and its market, noted: “ silk and clothes are sold at this market…and their carpets have no equals in the world”

Historical course of the Gymyl carpet through Ancient Azerbaijan (V.D.)

Art Analysis: The medallion of the central field is called "Quyu" (means a well) by local carpet makers. This medallion is an another form of ‘lachak-turunj’, which was used in the decoration of books and architectural buildings and engravings of gravestones since 9^th century. I strongly believe that lachak turunj firstly appeared in the capital of ancient Azerbaijan – city of Tabriz. But the formation of today’s Gymyl carpets was realized in Gabala. From this point of view, I prefer to name this design as Gadim Gabala (Ancient Gabala), as old carpet makers named it.

In the 18th century, they started to make this "Ancient Gabala" type of carpets in Gymyl village, at the same time, Azerbaijan carpets became very popular in western markets. So production of these carpets in Gymyl village and highly demand for Caucasian Azerbaijan carpets in western markets came across at the same time. Therefore, this type of carpet became famous with the name "Gymyl".

Gymyl carpet, 18th c.
The State Museum of Azerbaijan Carpet and Applied Art

Pile: PURE WOOL

Warps: cotton

Wefts: cotton

Density/Kpsm (knots per square meter):

Size: 173x300cm

Area: 5.19cm2

AGE: circa 1960

Condition: very good

Technical Analysis: Density of "Gymyl" carpets varies from 40x40 to 50x50 per square decimeter. (from 160.000 to 250.000 knots per square meter)

The height of pile: 4-6mm

Comments: Carpet "Gymyl" is considered as one of the best quality carpet samples of Kuba Region. There is a very old Gymyl carpet in Lahij Village Mosque. (18th c.)

Researched and prepared by Vugar Dadahov

Researched and prepared by Vugar Dadahov

BACK