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History gave us a chance to prove that the thing that belonged to us is ours.
Namely they managed to proudly take use of this opportunity,
bringing to life the carpet "Sheikh Sefi" once more for the second time.
Iran may say that this carpet belongs to them.
Maybe because today Ardebil and Tebriz locate in Iran's territory
they think they have right to say that.
But this carpet has its own history.
There are people who wove it.
This carpet was woven in 1539 by the order of Shah Tahmasib I.
It was considered for one of the guest rooms of Sheikh Sefi tomb.
And it is a fact that the carpet was woven by masters from Tebriz.
On top part of the carpet, there is one couplet in Persian from the poems of Hafiz.
And it writes the year of 946 by Moon Calendar.
From time to time, "Azerilme" surprises everybody with its works.
Along with weaving traditional carpets, they presented the carpet "Sheikh Sefi"
which was first woven in Ardebil in XVI century.
It was a real present to Azerbaijani people and we are very happy for that.
The more a man is forgetful, the sharper the history's memory is.
Namely this history proves that "Sheikh Sefi" carpet that enlarges eyes from amazement
has its only and real owner - Azerbaijan.
Simply, when "Sheikh Sefi" was woven in Ardebil, the last was the capital of Azerbaijan.
The idea of weaving "Sheikh Sefi" belonged to Tahmasib I, who was the son of
Shah Ismayil Khatai who founded the Safavids dynasty of Azerbaijan.
He intended to scrape his forefather's, Sheikh Abu-Ishak Ardebili's name in the history.
Tahmasib I himself led the team that wove the carpet.
The researchers know that the technology of the carpet's weaving is based on "turk-baf".
And the carpet was woven by masters from Tebriz.
Shah Tahmasib charged Kashanli Maqsud, who had a large workshop, with weaving this carpet.
That is why the carpet bears the stamp of the mentioned workshop.
The complicated composition of this carpet consists of the synthesis of 12 colours.
The 12 domes going in the center of the carpet represent the holy number of 12.
The excellent artistic design of the carpet could not simply be an accident.
Professional artists must have worked on its design.
As an American researcher believes, the designer could be
Sultan Muhammad, our artist who founded a great miniature school.
Later, inconceivable wonder of "Sheikh Sefi" carpet draws attention of Zigler traders.
In 1885, there happens an earthquake in Ardebil. Eventually,
all the property of Sheikh Sefi tomb including "Sheikh Sefi" carpet
were offered for sale in order to repair the destroyed tomb.
The carpet was bought by Zigler traders, who were very famous in Europe then.
In 1892, the carpet was put up to auction in London.
Namely in this auction the carpet draws attention of experts from Germany.
The administration of Victoria & Albert Museum then asks English community
to help to prevent the carpet from being taken abroad.
The English, who do not like to waste money,
could not remain indifferent to the beauty of Azerbaijani carpet.
They show solidarity and collect the money that the museum needs.
The carpet was bought for £2500 and turned to the property of Victoria & Albert Museum.
And starting from that time thousands of people come to London to see this wonder.
Many have tried to take the responsibility to weave "Sheikh Sefi" once more.
But it remained as a dream for a long time.
Namely Azerilme was the one to give the second life to this carpet weaving it once more.
This step was the strong will to get back the history of the nation.
Though weaving started in August, 2007, its preparations had begun a year earlier.
The preparation of only sketch took 4 months.
The collection of the raw materials...Wool was taken from Karabagh: Aghjebedi's lamb wool.
The obtained pattern was drawn on to the paper by Azerilme's painter Neva Naghiyeva.
It can be counted as the most responsible work of hers.
When I was offered the work, I knew it would be very hard.
I thought it would take 2-2.5 months' time.
It came out to be even harder as the work on the drawing started.
I drew the carpet for 4 months.
12 colours were used in the composition of the carpet that is based on "lechek-turunj" style.
Onion, chaff, quince, mulberry, liquorice, pomegranate...were used to get the colours.
Another world opens in front of your eyes when thread turn to nooses and nooses to patterns.
120kg wool, beam, 10.5kg cotton, silk were used to weave only the upper part of this rare pearl.