Chondzoresk (Khndzoresk) Rugs
Chondzoresk (Khndzoresk) is a village in the Goris Municipality of the Syunik Province in Armenia. The village is located to the east of the Goris-Stepanakert highway, on the steep slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), which the village is named after, according to the local tradition. New Khndzoresk (the current inhabited area) was built in the 1950s.
Chondzoresk rugs, however, were made during the 19th century and early 20th. In the end of the 19th century old Khndzoresk was a big village in Karabakh khanate. Antique Chondzoresk rugs are categorized as Kazak Karabaghs. The weave tradition of the area has continued for millenniums, receiving continuously fresh airs of coming nomads and changing city-styles.
Technical aspects and the structure of Chondzoresk Rugs
Chondzoresk knots are symmetric (Turkish) with an average density of 58 per square inch. Pieces are all wool, long-piled and fleshy.
Kellegis (Kelle) are common here. These are rather wide runners. Rare small sizes, such as squares are also found. Runners and rugs are also found. Rugs woven here considered smallest pieces woven in Karabagh that is famous for carpet-sized production.
Dyeing and painting of Chondzoresk rugs
Ivory, camel, indigo, green and red dominant Chondzoresk palette. The latter may be obtained from either cochineal or madder’s root. Secondary palette consisted of golden camel, yellow and saffron; olive, grass and jade; crimson, vermillion, purple and rosy; and blues: from light indigo to azure. Ivory and black are undyed wool.
Designs and patterns of the Chondzoresk rugs
The medallions attributed to Chondzoresk contain cloud-band motifs. These are waving motifs four pair of which circle around a star or a wavering swastika. These may be called dragon design and ‘vishapagorg’ in Armenian. The waving line resembling snake or river in nomadic pieces, therefore the concept of water is usually associated with the dragon. Some even titled the dragon as the lord of the water and air.
Chondzoresk medallions may be used in central medallion structure as well as in double, triple (and more)-medallioned structures. Chondzoresk designs are intricate. The fields are normally occupied by detailed patterns and filling motifs.
