THE HISTORY OF THE PAZYRYK CARPET AND
TRACING ITS ROOTS
THE PAZYRYK CARPET
The pazyryk
carpet is the oldest known surviving carpet in the world. It was found by a
team of Russian archaeologists headed by Sergei Ivanovich Rudenko in 1949. The exceptional Pazyryk carpet was discovered among the ices of Pazyryk Valley, in
The Altai Mountains in Siberia..
The carpet was found in the grave of a Scythian prince.
Radiocarbon testing indicated that the Pazyryk carpet was woven in the 5th
century BC. The dimension is 1.83X2m, and it has 36 symmetrical knots per cm2.
The design is made up of concentric squares
separated by various borders. The central panel is made up of what is assumed to
be symbols that represent the sun. This is surrounded by a border of winged
griffins, which then in turn surrounded by another border filled with antlered
deer. There is then a small border of abstract floral motifs, which is then
followed by a border of horses being alternately led and ridden by their
riders. This border has the horses travelling in the opposite direction to that
of the earlier antlered deer, there is then a final border of winged griffins
which then completes the rug.[1]
Griffins are generally used to represent
guardians for life/afterlife. Stags represent wisdom and long life. The rug
shows the use of high technical skill and would have probably been very
precious. One theory says that it was made for the Prince and the symbols used were
particularly chosen to wish him well.
The Pazyryk carpet was thought, by its discoverer, to be a product of the Achamenids.. Currently, whether it is a nomadic
product with Achaemenid influence or a product of the Achaemenids remains the
subject of debate. Historical records show that the Achaemenian court of Cyrus
the Great at Pasargade was decked with magnificent carpets. This was over 2,500
years ago, while Persia was still in a weak alliance with Alexander the Great. Alexander II of Macedonia is said to
have been dazzled by the carpets in the tomb area of Cyrus the Great at
Pasargade.[2]
The intricacy and advanced level of carpet
weaving indicates that the art of carpet weaving originated atleast 1000-2000
years before that. The origins of the Pazyryk carpet is still a matter of
scholastic debate.
The possible origin and development of the craft
Very little is known about the history of
rugs until the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries from which Seljuk examples found
in various Turkish mosques have survived, nearly all now in museums or private
collections.The art of knotted carpet weaving has spread all over the world
and this has proved to be a hindrance in solving the mystery of its origin. The
Middle East is called the cradle of carpet weaving because there are strong
evidences of carpet weaving from the 2nd and 3rd BC found
there. People migrating to areas from Turkestan to the west, the Caucasus,
Persia, Anatolia, to the east to China, and then later to India, extended this
art form to the natives of these places. Moreover, this complete range of
locations is known as the Oriental Carpet Belt. The western weavers were influenced
with the Oriental motifs, primarily Sassanian origin. However, there was a progressive
enrichment by difficult blend of Asiatic, early Byzantine, Christian and
Islamic cultures.
Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and traveller, while
travelling through Turkey said, “They weave the choicest and the most beautiful
carpet in the world. They also weave silk fabrics of crimson and other colors,
of great beauty and richness, and many other kinds of cloth.” He added greatly
to the fact that it all flourished in the Islamic culture that he perceived,
during his world expedition.[3]
After
the period of domination and control by the Arab Caliphates, Persia was
conquered by the Turkish Seljuks. The Seljuks were sensitive to all arts and
hence their domination was of great importance in the history of Persian
carpets. Their womenfolk, were skillful carpet makers , using Turkish knots. In
the provinces of Azerbaijan and Hamdan where Seljuk influence was strongest and
the longest lasting, the Turkish knot is used to this day. [4]
Carpet designs depicted by miniature
paintings belonging to the Timurid era lend proof to the development of this
industry during the Seljuk rule. There is also another miniature painting of
that time available which depicts the process of carpet weaving. Oriental carpets in renaissance paintings from
Europe are often given detailed depictions that help fill in gaps in the record
of actual surviving carpets.[5]
13th century Seljuk carpet
Persia was later ruled by the Mongols and
they picked up the art of carpet weaving. The palace of Tabriz, belonging to the leader
Ghazan Khan (1295 - 1304) who was the last Mongol leader to be converted to
Islam, had paved floors covered with carpets.
The
accession to power of the Safavid rulers is of great importance in the history
of Persian carpets. Moreover, it is from this period that the first concrete
proofs of this craft are dated. In fact, about 1,500 examples from this period
are preserved in various museums and in private collections.
Trade and cultural exchange
Egypt
Carpets of high quality were produced in large numbers in Egypt. they were unique and hence traded off to other places, mostly to the east. The earliest forms of carpets displayed geometric designs. Persian and Anatolian designs spread to cairo after they spread to Istanbul.the weavings in cairo greatly resembled the ones in eastern Turkistan. Usually woven with wool, Egyptian carpets and rugs are tied with asymmetrical or Ghiordes knots. Motifs like a palmette on the red background of a carpet, etc.
Carpets of high quality were produced in large numbers in Egypt. they were unique and hence traded off to other places, mostly to the east. The earliest forms of carpets displayed geometric designs. Persian and Anatolian designs spread to cairo after they spread to Istanbul.the weavings in cairo greatly resembled the ones in eastern Turkistan. Usually woven with wool, Egyptian carpets and rugs are tied with asymmetrical or Ghiordes knots. Motifs like a palmette on the red background of a carpet, etc.
China
Chinese carpets are quite a standout among the rest of the types of carpet styles of the world, especially their motifs and conservative colour choices. Chinese carpets include floral as well as geometric patterns whose inspiration comes from the natural world, ancient local myths, Buddhism, and Taoism. The blend does not create any confusion but a distinct style that is even handed as well as graceful. For instance, with a central medallion accompanied with four corner medallions. Mythical flowers, animals, are also grouped together, generally in a circle with precision. Intriguingly, every symbol carries a peculiar meaning with it that is not simple to decipher. However, the style is very different from the Islamic countries.
Astonishingly, carpet weaving in China was not a greatly accepted artwork until around the later half of 1700, much after than any other Oriental carpet weaving location. Two of the reasons behind can be the scarcity of wool in China and the showcase of the Chinese aesthetic works that reflected the refinement and calligraphic perfection of which they were demur. [6]
Turkey
Anatolian or Turkish carpets are overall inspired from their local culture and tradition. The carpets all inspired from the Islamic culture display ancient layouts with a blend or repetition of simple or geometric figures or symbols. The Seljuk rulers introduced the art of carpet weaving to Anatolians during their invasion in 1100. They came from Turkestan and dominated Asia Minor until 1299.
The colour palette seen in the Turkish carpet includes shades like red, blue, yellow, and warm shades in common. The Turkish knot also belongs to the same geographical area imitated by all carpet weaving countries on the globe.
Chinese carpets are quite a standout among the rest of the types of carpet styles of the world, especially their motifs and conservative colour choices. Chinese carpets include floral as well as geometric patterns whose inspiration comes from the natural world, ancient local myths, Buddhism, and Taoism. The blend does not create any confusion but a distinct style that is even handed as well as graceful. For instance, with a central medallion accompanied with four corner medallions. Mythical flowers, animals, are also grouped together, generally in a circle with precision. Intriguingly, every symbol carries a peculiar meaning with it that is not simple to decipher. However, the style is very different from the Islamic countries.
Astonishingly, carpet weaving in China was not a greatly accepted artwork until around the later half of 1700, much after than any other Oriental carpet weaving location. Two of the reasons behind can be the scarcity of wool in China and the showcase of the Chinese aesthetic works that reflected the refinement and calligraphic perfection of which they were demur. [6]
Turkey
Anatolian or Turkish carpets are overall inspired from their local culture and tradition. The carpets all inspired from the Islamic culture display ancient layouts with a blend or repetition of simple or geometric figures or symbols. The Seljuk rulers introduced the art of carpet weaving to Anatolians during their invasion in 1100. They came from Turkestan and dominated Asia Minor until 1299.
The colour palette seen in the Turkish carpet includes shades like red, blue, yellow, and warm shades in common. The Turkish knot also belongs to the same geographical area imitated by all carpet weaving countries on the globe.
18th
century carpet with Memling Gul design
The
Mongolian inspiration
The ancient Mongolian carpet weaving was certainly borrowed
from the Persian land. The Altai nomads of Siberia are responsible for maintaining
the cultural as well as trading links with the south and east in China, East
Turkestan, Tibet. The Mongols boasted a great collection of beautiful pile
carpets too apart from Mughal India and Safavid Iran.
The carpets obtained
from the central part of the Asian continent, say China, Mongolia, Armenia,
etc., Mongolia is one such country that displays a unique combination of the
various forms of foreign decoration forms and motifs. Mongols were said to have
woven the finest lot of carpets.
So we see the growth and change of the art
of carpet weaving as different groups of people succeeded Persia. They brought
with them influences and practices from their countries through culture and
religion (Islamic patterns- floral and geometric patterns). Even the materials
used were influenced by succession by culturally different communities(silk
from China during the silk trade). During the Seljuk period, the carpet weaving
industry boomed and gave rise to a widely and heavily practiced art.
Through trade we see how the art of carpet
weaving spread to other countries. In some countries there is still a heavy
Persian influence in the style developed by them. But the original Persian
style evolved and changed as people brought in new patterns and designs
relevant to their culture and identity. The Persian patterns and designs lost
relevance in their countries and new unique styles of carpet designs were born.
(Chinese carpets have no trace of Persian designs anymore, even though the
concept of carpet weaving was brought to them by the Mongols from Persia. they
changed and evolved to include patterns and designs that were influenced by the
culture and religious practices of China.)
References:
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