Tovuz Rugs
Tovuz (Taus) District is one of the 66 districts of the Azerbaijan Republic. It is located in the north-west of the country and belongs to the Ganja-Qazakh Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Gadabay, Shamkir, Samukh, Agstafa, as well as the Tavush Province of Armenia and Kakheti region of Georgia.
Tovuz is famous for its wine-making, and it also has several archaeological sites. The name may be derived from the word Tavus which means Peacock in Arabic, Persian and Turkish. The neighboring Tavush Province of Armenia has probably the same meaning.
Antique rugs woven in area may be branded as “Taus” and Shemshadil. The latter was a sultanate established in 1747. In 1801, the Shamshadil Sultanate was annexed to Russian Empire together with the Sultanates of Borchaly and Kazakh.
Technical aspects and the structure of Tovuz Rugs
Antique Tovuz rugs are coarsely knotted with a density of about 40 to 60 knots per square inch. Knots are symmetrical (Turkic).Warps, wefts and piles are woolen in antique pieces, but new ones may have cotton foundations. Area rug sizes are favored including long ones. Runners, too, could be found. Rare shapes, such as squares, are also possible.
Dyeing and painting of Tovuz Rugs
Red, blue, white, green and brown are used for fields, while the secondary palette include a vast range of light shades. A rich yellow used that may tend to mustard. Brick red of the region is famous. Deep pink, camel, golden khaki, turquoise, light blue, pistachio and sea green are used frequently.
Designs and patterns of the Tovuz Rugs
Medallion and prayer designs are common in Tovuz. Patterns are rectilinear. A type of medallion used in Tovuz designs called ‘turtle’. Such medallions are mostly used in double and triple medallioned structure. A type of field design attributed to Tovuz called ‘Baltali’ or ‘ax’ design.
