Afshan

These earrings are inspired by Afshan compositions. While Afshan patterns are widely used in architecture, book design, embroidery, and various decorative arts forms, they find their most expressive medium in carpets. Notable carpet styles based on Afshan compositions include Khila-Afshan (Baku, Azerbaijan), Bijar (Georgia), Herat (Afghanistan), among others. Afshans are considered some of the most accomplished and splendid carpet designs.

The ornamental elements in this model are derived from the patterns found in the middle ground of Afshan rugs, featuring spiraling tree branches known as bichek by carpet-makers. These spirals are adorned with small to medium-sized elements characteristic of Afshans. Both simple and intricate spirals culminate in an element called sonluq, meaning ‘ending.’ Due to its resemblance to a fish, Azerbaijani and Iranian carpet-makers refer to it as baliq or mahi, meaning ‘fish’ in Azerbaijani and Persian, respectively.