Balig carpet
Let's take a closer look at the Balig carpet from the museum's Shusha Branch collection.
The famous carpet composition Balig (Fish) of the Karabakh group got its name from the fish-shaped pattern in the central field. The main weaving center of this carpet was Barda, and from the second half of the 18th century - Shusha.
The carpet is based on the Afshan composition. Symmetrical and continuous rapports in its central field form the basis of the patterns. The design of the central field and border along with the exquisite patterns represents an exceptional color harmony inherent in Karabakh carpet weaving. As a rule, these carpets are woven in an elongated shape and in large sizes. Carpet sets with this composition were very popular in Karabakh in the 19th century.
Balig carpet. Karabakh group, Azerbaijan. Early 20th century. Warp, pile - wool, weft - wool, cotton. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection
