Gasimushaghi carpets

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Gasimushaghi carpets are Azerbaijani pile carpets from the Karabakh school, part of the Jabrayil group. The name is connected to Lachin region villages, especially Şamkənd, Ərikli, Kürdhacı, Chorman and Shalva.

These carpets were traditionally woven in Gasimushaghi obasi and nearby villages, using rich raw materials and a long history of handicrafts. They were made with wool and natural plant dyes, and some examples are kept in museums around the world.

Gasimushaghi carpets are also known as Embroidery carpets because their decorative patterns came from Gasimushaghi embroidery and were later used in the carpets themselves.

Design and motifs: the carpets have a deep red background with a deep blue central area and a large medallion in the middle. The upper and lower corners are white and S-shaped (called gol); these corners often look like a dragon. The woven ornaments are believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.

Technique and materials: they use a Turkbaf knot, with long-staple wool called yapaghı. Colors typically include white, black, deep red, deep blue, green, yellow and brown. The overall effect is dense, soft and light.

Sizes and texture: typical dimensions range from about 200x120 cm to 230x160 cm, with some larger ones. Knot density is around 90,000 to 160,000 knots per square meter, and the wool pile is about 7–10 mm high.

History: Gasimushaghi carpets are part of a notable group of Karabakh medallion carpets. In 2007, an exhibition in Prague introduced Caucasian carpets to Czech visitors, and Czech stamps later featured Gasimushaghi carpets as part of Karabakh carpet history from the 19th century.