Chajli Rugs
Chajlis are a group of nineteenth-century rugs and runners attributed to the northern weaving districts of the Azerbaijan Republic such as Shirvan and Fachralo (Borchaly). Some believe the name ‘Chajli’ is a corrupt spell of the Khinalig (Xinaliq).
The Khinalig are an indigenous people of Azerbaijan and speak the Khinalug language, a Northeast Caucasian language. The Khinalugs are indigenous to the Quba District and have been named after their main village, Khinalug in the mountains of Quba Rayon, northern Azerbaijan. Their tongue is a Northeast Caucasian language spoken by about 3,000 people in the villages of Khinalug and Gulustan, Quba.
During the 19th century rug production increased rapidly in the region. Antique Chajli rugs may be classified as Shirvan, Kazak or Kuba which are famous rug brands of Caucasus.
Technical aspects and the structure of Chajli Rugs
Antique Chajli rugs have an average knot density of 100 knots per square inch. Knots are symmetric (Turkish). Warps and Piles are woolen. Wefts may be either cotton or wool. The region’s wool is lustrous. Rug sizes are common. Runners with Chajli design are also found.
Dyeing and painting of Chajli rugs
The region’s wool is lustrous which is appropriate for saturated tones. Several shades of indigo used for Chajli fields, from light indigo to midnight blue. In some pieces black may be used instead of midnight blue. Deep madder red is also used for fields. Chajli medallions are painted with two alternating colors (usually a dark and a light shade). Secondary palette may include yellow, camel, blue, ivory and green, orange and rosy as well as pinks.
Designs and patterns of the Chajli rugs
Octagonal medallions with contrasting colors make the typical Chajli designs. Rugs are mostly designed with three of them; runners with five or more. These medallions are decorated with hooks and inner linear motifs. Some of them are rectangles with clipped corners rather than octagons.
