Shamakhy

This piece reflects the ancient traditions and central cultural elements of Shamakhi, including the iconic castle walls. Shamakhi’s name was first mentioned by the ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy. Situated at a crossroads of trade routes, the city endured frequent enemy attacks, prompting the construction of protective castle walls. The vine and jug motifs symbolize Shamakhi’s rich viticulture, nurtured by climate conditions conducive to wine production. Renowned as a carpet-making hub since antiquity, Shamakhi’s carpets, part of the Shirvan school, are known for unique ornaments and bright, intricate designs. The recurring rhomb pattern in these carpets is a religious symbol that, depending on its placement, denotes earth, femininity, or a fertile beginning.