One year ago, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum (ANCM) and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (TIEM) in Istanbul opened the exhibition​ of ancient and rare Azerbaijani carpets preserved in the TIEM collection. This exhibition is​ a significant event in the cultural life of the two brotherly countries.​ The event was dedicated to the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum’s 53rd anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of the Traditional Art of Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving within the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 

Notably, this project, the first collaboration between the museums of Azerbaijan and Turkey was​ organized as part of the State Program for the Protection and Development of Carpet Art in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2022.​ The project included the study of the scientific attribution of Azerbaijani carpets stored in the collection of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts,​ the publication of a catalog, and the organization of an exhibition.​

 

Twelve rare 17th–19th-century Azerbaijani carpets from the collection of TIEM are still on display. The exhibition aroused great interest among the world-leading carpet specialists and experts.​ Khatai (Dragon) and Chelebi carpets representing a unique branch of Azerbaijani carpet weaving, Goja carpet reflecting the beauty of Karabakh in its perfect artistic ornaments, and Daghkasaman carpet decorated with tamgas, symbols of ancient Turkic tribes are among the​ exhibits.

 

As a result of the research, the ANCM and the TIEM published the catalog​ Azerbaijani Carpets from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts Collection.​ The publication in Turkish and English is intended to provide comprehensive and complete coverage of Azerbaijani carpets for the Turkish public and world carpet specialists.

 

We invite all art lovers, especially our compatriots in Turkey, to visit TIEM and enjoy this exhibition!