One of the most well-known types of pileless carpets woven using the sumakh technique is the Snake Carpet, which is simply and expressively referred to as "Thread-Leaving" in the villages of southern Artsakh. This name, given by villagers, originates from the long threads left on the reverse side of the weaving. The S-shaped dragon adorning the carpet is not only the next phase in the development of the "Ajdahak" carpet style but also a prototype of the more intricate dragons found in classic dragon carpets. On the international market, this type is known as Zile.
The carpet's field is entirely decorated with rows of dual-color S-shaped snake motifs. Within the coils of the dragons are the heads of sacrificial rams, and countering the dragons are two-headed, wing-spread eagles, which have been ancient heraldic symbols in Armenian art. The colorful little snakes on the dragons embody the ideas of water and fertility. Summarizing the overall symbolism of the design, it can be said that the carpet depicts the struggle between opposing earthly and celestial forces. Notably, the carpet reflects humanity's dual attitude toward dragons. On one hand, it portrays the dragons dwelling in the depths of the Earth's giant water sources, to whom rams are sacrificed for their benevolence. On the other hand, it depicts eagles ready to overcome the dragons if necessary.
In the carpet-weaving centers of Sisian, this type of carpet often accompanied "Twin-Dragon" carpets, which convey the same concept with similar symbols. To weave such a carpet, expensive cotton threads from the Sharur plain of Nakhichevan were used as warp threads, adding density and weight to the fabric.
The earliest examples of this type of pileless carpet date back to the 18th century. They are relatively narrow in size and adorned with pairs of dragons arranged side by side. These carpets were mainly used as floor coverings or had other domestic purposes.
The History Museum of Armenia holds the world’s largest collection of "Thread-Leaving" carpets.
These carpets are characteristic of the carpet-weaving centers of Artsakh, Syunik, Shirvan, and Nakhichevan.
Source: Robert H. Nooter “Flat woven Rugs and textiles from the Caucasus”
Abraham Levi Moheban “The encyclopedia of antique carpets”
Source: Armenian Carpet Art, XVII-XX cc., History Museum of Armenia.