The traditional decorations of Karabakh (examples of jewelry art) (Azerbaijan Republic)

Abstract

  This article, based on the achievements of modern ethnographic science of Azerbaijan, examines the history of the creation of traditional women's jewelry in one of the most ancient regions of Azerbaijan - Karabakh. The jewelry art of this region has a deep tradition that go back to the origins of the most ancient civilizations of the Turkic world. Specific real images in the form of rethought conventional-decorative symbols were presented in jewelry, which were used as a talisman-amulet in the costumes of Karabakh residents. The sacred function has been strong in jewelry since its inception and has not lost its significance in some types of jewelry to this day. During the Middle Ages and modern times, a symbolic function has increased in traditional women's jewelry, which serves as an indicator of a woman's material condition, her gender and age category, position in society, and local belonging. Over time, in the traditional women's jewelry of Karabakh, their aesthetic component increased, and the sacred-magical function weakened, but did not completely lose its significance.