Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Director of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Chairman of ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee Shirin Melikova represented Azerbaijan at the 14th International Conference on Oriental Carpets (ICOC) in Washington DC on June 7 -10.

In her report "Sources of Enrichment of Azerbaijan Carpet Museum`s collection" Melikova told about new unique carpets that entered the museum, as well as interesting projects and important measures taken by the leadership of Azerbaijan to restore infrastructure and develop carpet weaving, Trend Life reported.

"Today, carpet is not just a revival of traditions. The theme of the carpet, its technical capabilities and unlimited semantic categories attract young conceptual artists. Now carpet can be safely considered the main symbol of our country. Azerbaijan carpet art is included in UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," said Melikova.

Speaking about the unique ancient Azerbaijani carpets, exported from the country for centuries, Melikova told about the fate of the Karabakh carpet "Bakhchada guller", rescued from the hands of the Armenian invaders - it was sold in San Francisco as an ancient Armenian carpet.

"Many looted museums and artifacts, appropriated by Armenians, remained in the occupied territory. This carpet is the first one that returned to the homeland after a "round-the-world trip"," she said.

Melikova said that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Heydar Aliyev Foundation presented the museum with a carpet "Shamakhi" related to the end of the 17th century, purchased in Vienna, and 18th century embroidery purchased at "Sotbis" auction. She stressed that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation also purchased a carpet "Ajdahali" ("Dragon"), stored for a long time in a private collection abroad. She stressed that carpets of "Khatai" composition are very interesting branch of national carpet weaving.

Speaking about the presentation of the two recently purchased by the museum two carpets of the 19th century - carpet related to Guba group "Sirt-chichi" and carpet of Baku group "Hilya-Buta", the museum director emphasized the assistance of their former owner, collector and carpet expert Stefano Ionescu, who arrived in Baku in connection with the presentation of the carpet and gave the museum several books.

Melikova also presented a list of Azerbaijani carpets presented to the museum by American collectors. Among them are unique samples, which are the most valuable exhibits of the collections. Within the framework of the conference, an exhibition was held where old carpets and art embroideries of various regions of the world, as well as Azerbaijani carpets, dervish hats made in various techniques, and rare embroideries were demonstrated.

Melikova also showcased a list of Azerbaijani carpets presented to the museum by American collectors. They include samples, which are the most valuable exhibits of the collections.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum established in Baku in 1967, being the first carpet museum in the world is the very place that can familiarize all the interested with the unique examples of the national carpets.

The museum is home to one of the most extensive rug and carpet collections in the world.

A new carpet museum, designed in the form of a rolled carpet, opened in the Baku Seaside Park in 2014 and all carpets were transferred to this museum.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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