Geography of pattern
Seven schools of weaving
The Azerbaijani carpet is divided into seven regional schools. Each formed over centuries around its city or region and developed recognisable patterns, colour combinations and techniques. An expert can tell from a carpet where it was woven.
Baku
Refined, elegant carpets of the Absheron with medallions and fine patterns; among the famous is the “Khila”.
Quba
A north-eastern school with crisp geometry and star-shaped medallions; “Quba” carpets are renowned worldwide.
Shirvan
Rich, fine ornament and complex compositions from one of the oldest schools.
Ganja
Restrained, noble carpets of the west with traditional medallions.
Gazakh
Large, bold geometric pattern and bright colours — one of the most recognisable styles.
Karabakh
Floral motifs and a rich palette; the celebrated “Chelebi” and “Ajdahaly”.
Tabriz
A southern school with the finest, almost painterly patterns and central medallions.
Map of schoolsThe map
A country in patterns
Place the schools on a map and you get an atlas of sorts: north, south, west and centre of the country “speak” in different carpets. This diversity is one of the great riches of the Azerbaijani carpet.
In the museum carpets are grouped, among other ways, by school, so the hand of each region can be compared.