Arkhalig and skirt
Let's take a closer look at an elegant arkhalig (women's outerwear) and a skirt from the museum's Shusha Branch collection.
This set is made of an expensive brocade, decorated with golden patterns in the shape of a buta, on a cotton lining. The main distinguishing feature of the Karabakh arkhaligs is a buta-shaped or oval neckline, a pleated basque, and sleeves, the shape of which was called nilufar, that is, a lotus: straight up to the elbows, and flared from the elbows. The arkhalig has a tight-fitting shape with thin ribs vertically attached to its fiber.
Azerbaijani women wore ankle-length skirts. They were made of a fabric called takhta, which consisted of 10-12 pieces.
Arkhalig and skirt. Karabakh, Azerbaijan. Early 20th century. Zarkhara, cotton. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection
