Genje, one of the ancient cities of Azerbaijan, is located in north-west of the country. Documents dating as far back as 11th century, suggest Genje as being a famous center of production of silk, and silk carpets.
Antique Gendje rugs have wool foundation and long pile, and as most rugs from the Caucasus are hand-knotted in the Turkish or Symmetrical knot.
They are usually long and narrow displaying the distinctive feature pattern of many-colored diagonal stripes featuring small floral designs, sometimes alternating with rows of boteh motif.
The Genje boteh (Paisley) rugs are very popular among collectors, unlike many other rugs featuring the popular all-over design, Genje rugs present the boteh in the classic Genje diagonal stripe composition.
A floral motif called Boteh, which originated in the Sassanid Dynasty (200–650 AD) of Iran and later in the Safavid Dynasty (from 1501 to 1736), was a major textile pattern in Iran and Caucasus during the Qajar Dynasty.
Piotr Wesolowski
