“Jraberd” type of rugs are classified as “Dragon” rugs. In various sources, rugs of this group are also called by experts “Charaberd”, “Chalaberd”, “Artsvagorg”/Eagle rug/, “Adler-Kazak”, etc. The earliest examples of the rug date back to the 17th-18th centuries. “Jraberd” type rugs were mostly found in the carpet weaving centers of Artsakh and Syunik.
The main characteristic of “Jraberd” rugs is the large and complex composition with a cross-shaped axis, on each vertex of which are depicted stylized pairs of bird heads. All of this is complemented by ray-like appendages, which Ashkhunj Poghosyan calls “radiant composition.” In the center, in a diagonal ornamental frame, there is a four-leaf rosette, which in Armenian ornamental art is also known as “ornament of the world”.
According to Ashkhunj Poghosyan’s classification, two subgroups of the “Jraberd” group of rugs are distinguished: “Classical Jraberd” and “Late Jraberd”.
Rugs belonging to the “Classical Jraberd” group date back to the 17th-18th centuries and are mainly characterized by a “radiant composition” and stylized dragon images. This subgroup, in turn, has several types of rugs:
-“Guhar-Jraberd”. The decorative system of rugs belonging to this type,is characterized by one or more radiate patterns and Guhar pattern flanking the latter on both sides, the pattern of the famous “Guhar” rug woven in 1700. The main regions of origin of these rugs are Artsakh and Syunik.
-“Fish Jraberd”. The “Jraberd” motif, various multi-leaf rosettes and large fish-shaped stylizations are equally important in the decorative system of these rugs. A remarkable example belonging to this type and dating back to the 18th century is kept in the National Gallery of Armenia. Another peculiarity of the decorative system of this rug is that on the opposite peaks of the main motif there are complex arc-shaped patterns that resemble fish images. The regions of origin are considered to be the carpet weaving centers of northwestern Persia and eastern Vaspurakan.
“Late Jraberd” - dates back to the 19th-20th centuries. The rugs of this subgroup were created based on further developments of the classical rug decoration systems, but there are no dragon lyre-shaped stylizations here. The types of rugs of this subgroup are:
-"Jraberd", which is characterized by one or more classical "radiant compositions”. The main regions of their production are considered to be Artsakh and Syunik. This type can be attributed to the runners called “Yan” by V. Tatikyan, the composition of which is formed by the repetition of the main shield. They were most widespread in the Khachen and Varanda provinces of Artsakh. In some rugs, the shield has been compressed, eight of its twelve rays have remained, the central cross and the hooked eagles on its wings have disappeared, but the charm of the rug has nevertheless been preserved. “Yan” type of runners were spread out during ceremonies, and the elders of the family would all sit each on one shield, thus giving the shield the meaning of a protective sign. Different types of shields symbolized the “coat of arms” of individual clans.
-The “Jraberd-Varanda” type has a composition in the form of a butterfly with spread wings, and we can find in the center the four-leaf rosette, the so-called “ornament of the world”. In addition to the main composition, the decorative system of the carpet field is supplemented with small floral patterns and animalistic stylizations. Dozens of perfect samples of this type are found in the carpet weaving centers of the Varanda province of Artsakh and especially in the village of Berdashen. It is not excluded that the sketch of this type of rugs were made at the end of the 19th century by professional painters and provided to the artels of the Caucasian Handicraft Union and individual craftsmen.
-”Jraberd-Dizak” - this type is characterized by an intricate multi-element and linear version of the motif of the group. Still, in both cases the number of rays remains the same: 12. In the center of this composition there is an elongated octagonal geometrical figure. Its vertical tops end with a ram horn image with a bird-shaped stylization on both sides. The geometrical form is bordered with similar horizontal images. “Tree of life” pattern is part of the design, which is usually depicted on the edges of the motif. Tradition of weaving this type of rugs was especially characteristic to rug weaving centers of Xachen and Dizak. It was also widespread in the carpet weaving centers of Zangezur, especially in the villages of Tegh, Kornidzor, Khndzoresk, in the Goghtan province, Yernjak, and Sharur.
We would also like to add that although “Jraberd” type rugs are characteristic especially of the carpet weaving centers of Syunik and Artsakh and it is an accepted view that they originated there, it is also known that their individual types and variants are widespread in other carpet weaving centers as well, particularly in the carpet weaving centers of the northeastern Transcaucasia, northwestern Iran, and western regions of Asia Minor.
Literature
-Ashkhunj Poghosyan, On the Genealogical Issues of the Jraberd Group Carpets. (in Armenian)
-Vahram Tatikyan, The Tribal Carpets of Artsakh (In Armenian)
-Ashkhunj Poghosyan, "The Carpet Weaving Culture of Artsakh"