The Paisley Shapes of Azerbaijan
- 1. that the peoplethat the people of Azerbaijanof Azerbaijan love.love. TheThe ButaButa MotifMotif
- 2. This is a sign above aThis is a sign above a store specializing instore specializing in Muslim clothing in Sheki.Muslim clothing in Sheki.
- 3. This store with the twoThis store with the two examples of the buta motif isexamples of the buta motif is attached to the Muslim storeattached to the Muslim store called Butacalled Buta
- 4. Buta, Buteh, PaisleyButa, Buteh, Paisley ButaButa is the Hindi word foris the Hindi word for flower. It has been anglicized asflower. It has been anglicized as butehbuteh, and the design has become, and the design has become know in the West as paisley,know in the West as paisley, because Paisley, Scotland, was thebecause Paisley, Scotland, was the first European city to copy thefirst European city to copy the Kashmir pattern.Kashmir pattern.
- 6. A design used in Paisley, ScotlandA design used in Paisley, Scotland
- 7. Buta HistoryButa History Buta originated during theButa originated during the Safavid Dynasty of PersiaSafavid Dynasty of Persia (1501-1736). Later, the design(1501-1736). Later, the design was quite popular with Iranianwas quite popular with Iranian weavers during the Qajarweavers during the Qajar Dynasty (1795-1925).Dynasty (1795-1925).
- 8. The most famous representation of the butaThe most famous representation of the buta in Azerbaijan is the Giz Galasi, orin Azerbaijan is the Giz Galasi, or Maidens Tower, in BakuMaidens Tower, in Baku
- 9. View of buta shapeView of buta shape..
- 12. The resemblance of the buta to half of the yinThe resemblance of the buta to half of the yin yang symbol is often mentioned, since cultures alongyang symbol is often mentioned, since cultures along the Silk Road from the Orient to Europe not onlythe Silk Road from the Orient to Europe not only exchanged goods but also shared art, science andexchanged goods but also shared art, science and religion.religion.
- 13. Restaurant Window in ShekiRestaurant Window in Sheki
- 14. Window Close UpWindow Close Up
- 16. Close-up of stoneworkClose-up of stonework
- 17. An interesting VariationAn interesting Variation on the Themeon the Theme
- 18. TheThe craftsmancraftsman of thisof this traditionaltraditional MuslimMuslim cap used acap used a continuous,continuous, double butadouble buta motif.motif.
- 22. Dress in theDress in the shop attached toshop attached to the Butathe Buta StoreStore in Shekiin Sheki
- 23. Close-upClose-up of the patternof the pattern of theof the dressdress
- 26. Another paisley dress design in ShekiAnother paisley dress design in Sheki
- 27. Is this just a nice gate design or is itIs this just a nice gate design or is it representative of the ancient buta motif?representative of the ancient buta motif?
- 28. What about this fence?What about this fence?
- 29. Cell phoneCell phone pouchespouches made inmade in ShekiSheki with thewith the buta andbuta and othersothers withwith Allah inAllah in Arabic.Arabic.
- 30. The butaThe buta design ondesign on a largera larger handmadehandmade bag.bag.
- 31. Nature is the model for the style.Nature is the model for the style.
- 32. You can see Buta shapes in theseYou can see Buta shapes in these basswood seed distributorsbasswood seed distributors
- 33. And in these leavesAnd in these leaves
- 34. ThisThis design isdesign is attached toattached to manymany metalmetal orchardorchard doors indoors in ShekiSheki
- 36. This paisley design is on corduroyThis paisley design is on corduroy found at quiltersmuse.comfound at quiltersmuse.com
- 37. Some sources say thatSome sources say that the buta in Azerbaijanthe buta in Azerbaijan is representative of fireis representative of fire or flames. Azerbaijanor flames. Azerbaijan is The Land ofis The Land of Fire.Fire. The buta is a plantThe buta is a plant that is used for cookingthat is used for cooking and heating houses. Theand heating houses. The flame from it may look
- 38. Design in Baku CarpetDesign in Baku Carpet
- 39. This traditional geometrical buta designThis traditional geometrical buta design was used for planters or fountains inwas used for planters or fountains in Shekis Axundov Park.Shekis Axundov Park.
- 40. Rug Design and Close Up in InsetRug Design and Close Up in Inset
- 41. Another one of those containersAnother one of those containers filled with plants.filled with plants.
- 42. And in another in Fuzuli ParkAnd in another in Fuzuli Park
- 44. Close-up of the Buta pattern worked into the stucco on the side of the building in the previous slide.
- 45. SomeSome sources saysources say the designthe design was takenwas taken from thefrom the Arabic 6,Arabic 6, since theysince they used a baseused a base 6 numerical6 numerical systemsystem instead of ainstead of a base ten.base ten.
- 46. Xan Saray Border DesignXan Saray Border Design
- 48. Two Butas used atTwo Butas used at Xan SarayXan Saray Butas inside butas may represent mother with child or grandchildren. Connected butas may represent marriages.
- 49. Buta design in metal below the gable.Buta design in metal below the gable.
- 52. Buta design worked intoButa design worked into metal plov covers.metal plov covers.
- 53. BronzeBronze SculpturesSculptures at aat a roundaboutroundabout on aon a ShekiSheki StreetStreet
- 54. Close-up of Same SculptureClose-up of Same Sculpture
- 55. Buta design stenciled on a wall.Buta design stenciled on a wall.
- 57. You can find it on candy wrappers.You can find it on candy wrappers.
- 58. Where Else?Where Else? Even in the Sheki Saray HotelEven in the Sheki Saray Hotel
- 59. Another Buta design on a BulaqAnother Buta design on a Bulaq or public water source.or public water source.
- 61. Butas are foundButas are found everywhere in Azerbaijaneverywhere in Azerbaijan culture. Now that youculture. Now that you know what to look for, seeknow what to look for, see how many different uses ofhow many different uses of the buta motif you canthe buta motif you can discover in the country, indiscover in the country, in Sheki or in your home.Sheki or in your home.
- 63. The EndThe End ProducedProduced ByBy Joel RobbinsJoel Robbins Peace Corps VolunteerPeace Corps Volunteer Sheki Pedagogical TechnicumSheki Pedagogical Technicum Sheki, AzerbaijanSheki, Azerbaijan 20082008
Editor's Notes
- #7: From designs of Paisley, Scotland From Kashmiri designs