Embroidery
Let's take a close look at this beautiful sample of embroidery made in the khanduz technique.
This technique was typical for the southern region of Azerbaijan (Lankaran, Masalli, Lerik, Astara). To complete the embroidery khanduz, that is, a counting cross, the threads of the fabric were pulled out in a certain order, and then latticed. Then they tucked it into the tambour (an embroidery hoop) and worked on it with different types of colored threads as if on a canvas.
It received the name of khanduz because this technique was once used mainly to embroider tablecloths, and in local dialect, khan means 'tablecloth.'
The decoration of the embroidery's central field reflects such ancient patterns as khohnanakhish, ulduzlu, ari. There is a central area, like in a carpet, with a partially preserved wide border on one side. On the other side the cut is carefully hemmed. Apparently, it was a tablecloth that was later cut to use in some other way. The exhibit is made of wool yarns, which makes it look like a carpet.
Embroidery. Azerbaijan. Late 19th century ‒ early 20th century. Wool. Khanduz (counting cross). Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection
