Goradis (Horadiz) Rugs
Goradis (Horadiz) is a village in the Fuzuli District of Azerbaijan. Goradis is the trade-name given to all southern Caucasian pieces with the design attributed to this village. Lots of pieces with such design have been woven in Qarabulaq in the Khojaly District of Azerbaijan or elsewhere in southern Karabagh. Goradis pieces are categorized as Karabaghs.
Karabagh is a landlocked mountainous region located south of Armenia, west of Azerbaijan Republic near Ganja, and north of Araxes which is the Iranian border. Horadiz is located there, at the border, north of the Iranian Provinces of Ardabil and Azerbaijan.
Technical aspects and the structure of Goradis Rugs
Goradis pieces are all wool. Knots are symmetrical (Turkish) with an average density of 46 per square inch, which is coarser than a typical Caucasian piece. Both carpet and rug sizes could be found. Runners and kellegis are so common. The latter is a rather wide runner. Goradis runners are very long.
Dyeing and painting of Goradis rugs
Indigo and rosy dominant Goradis palette. The latter is a deep rosy obtained from madder’s root and the former tend to midnight shades.
Secondary palette consisted of golden camel, yellow and saffron; olive, grass and jade; crimson, purple and pink; and blues: from light indigo to azure.
Designs and patterns of the Goradis rugs
An angular comet-shaped motif with dented lines, resembling a top view of a fish with wide fins. While it is generally believed to be a derivation of boteh (buta) motif, Goradis motif is called ‘buynuz’ by locals which is Turkic for antler. Repeats of buynuz motifs make wavering designs appropriate for long runners and carpets.
