Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum: A Timeless Treasure of Art and Culture
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum stands as a mesmerizing world of patterns and colors, where each woven thread tells a unique historical narrative. Visitors to the museum find themselves immersed in the mystical realm of Azerbaijani carpet weaving, captivated by the intricate designs and deep symbolism embedded in each piece.
The Karabakh carpets, renowned for their delicacy, elegance, color harmony, and large-scale weaving, hold a special place in Azerbaijani culture. These masterpieces breathe life into national tales and epics, as if the legendary figures from “Rustam and Sukhrob” and Mullah Nasreddin are gazing upon the visitors from the museum walls.
Honored artist Professor Mammadhuseyn Huseynov highlights the uniqueness of Azerbaijani carpets, noting that the Karabakh carpet weaving tradition is one of the four main schools of Azerbaijan. This school is further divided into Shusha, Jabrail, and Karabakh groups, each known for its rich patterns, vibrant colors, and historical symbolism.
Speaking about the artistic and technical characteristics of Karabakh carpets, Huseynov emphasizes their dense weaving style, intricate compositions, and a color palette dominated by red, blue, green, and yellow. He notes that many international museums house Karabakh carpets, yet the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum holds the largest collection of these historic works.
In 2010, thanks to the efforts of Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President and Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijani carpet weaving was recognized by UNESCO and added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This global acknowledgment has helped preserve and promote the ancient craft, ensuring that its legacy endures for future generations.
The National Carpet Museum continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding and studying this traditional art, displaying priceless examples from various regions of the country. As a result, Karabakh carpets are gaining worldwide recognition, with ongoing efforts to revitalize traditional carpet weaving in the region.
These carpets, passed down from generation to generation, remain an invaluable national treasure, reflecting Azerbaijan’s deep-rooted cultural identity.
