Perpedil Rugs
Perpedil, (also Romanized as Perepedil and Pirabadil) is a town southeast of Quba. Quba (also Romanized as Kuba, Guba and Kuwa) lies on the north-eastern slopes of Shahdag Mountain on the right bank of the Kudyal River. Quba is the capital of the Quba Rayon (district) of the Azerbaijan Republic, close to Dagestan. It used to be a big weaving center in northern Caucus. In the city of Quba, located a carpet making company called “Qadim Quba” meaning “Old Quba”. Branded as ‘Kuba’ these rugs are the finest of all Caucasian rugs.
Kuba rugs and runners have been named after towns and villages around the city. Antique rugs named after Perpedil may be the finest and most celebrated ones amongst Kuba pieces. Nineteenth-century Perpedil rug found already their way into museums.
Technical aspects and the structure of Perpedil Rugs
Quba rugs are the finest of all Caucasian rugs and Perpedil pieces are the finest of Quba’s. Antique Perpedil rugs are densely knotted with a typical area of about 22 square feet. They have an average knot density of 167 knots per square inch. Knots are symmetrical (Turkic). Perpedil foundations are mostly woolen. Some pieces may have cotton weft. Area rug sizes are common.
Dyeing and painting of Perpedil rugs
Pastel coloring and saturated hues are characteristics of Perpedil rugs. Such playful palette is consisted of herbal and mineral dyeing as well as natural shades of undyed wool. The latter includes ivory, milky, charcoal, beige, camel, khaki, etc.
Madder rose in several shades used in Perpedil rugs. Deep yellow, indigo, azure, midnight blue, pistachio, apricot, cream and dark green used artistically for both dominant and secondary colors.
Designs and patterns of the Perpedil rugs
Repeats of vurma or stylized motifs resembling calyxes make major patterns of Perpedil designs, while the field is ornamented with tiny filling motifs. These tiny jewel-like filling motifs have a key-role in the total appearance of Perpedil rugs.
Vurma (Turkish for ram’s horn) is a common motif on tribal weaves. Vurma used here in Quba is also known as “Perpedil vurma” or simply “Perpedil motif”. Borders may be very wide or just a strip filled with colorful stars. Dustkami and kufesque borders are common.
