GENDJE CARPET

floor covering handwoven in or near the town of Gnc, Azerbaijan, characterized by simple, angular designs and saturated (intense) colours. Gendje carpets most often have designs composed of octagons, stars, or three geometric medallions arranged on the carpet's longitudinal axis. Typical colours are blue, dark blue, and madder red. Old Gendjes are made entirely of wool, but newer examples have piles of coarse wool knotted onto cotton foundation weaves. The weavers of the Gendje district sometimes place little importance on proper weaving techniques, and, consequently, the quality of their carpets is quite uneven.