Ganja Rugs the O'Connell Guide

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Ganja (Gyandzha)

Gyandzha, Azerbaijan also spelled Gendge, Gäncä, GÄNJÄ, GANDZHA, GJANDZA, OR GYANDZHA
Situated on the main highway and rail line to Georgia. The city, considered the country's literary center, is prettier than most Azerbaijani towns and retains a strong German influence in its architecture. The road from Baku to Ganja is one of the country's most scenic. 180 mi/290 km west of Baku. http://www.usembassybaku.org/post/city.htm
Ganja was both a city, a market center, and a Khanate. Under Czarist domination the name was changed to Elisavetpol and then Kirovabad.
Ganja produces rug that are in format and construction like a long Kazak.
Gendge Long Rug With Diagonal Stripes
GYANDZHA. The Columbia Encyclopedia: Sixth Edition. 2000
Gäncä is a source of alunite. Alunite is also known as alumstone and is a source of the chemical known as alum, KAl(SO4)2 - 12H2O. Alum with tin is the source of the clear super-saturated reds we see in Caucasian rugs. There are deposits of Tin that have been mined in Armenia since pre-historic times.
A humorous side note to the rug trade many Gendge are called Kazak or Shirvan, etc... because dealers feel Gendge's sell for less under their own name.

Chajli Long Rug

A few related examples:

Ganja Rugs: The James C. Allen Gendge Long Rug
Azeri
Chajli
- Chajli is a multiple latch hooked medallion Gendge rug that is one of the most sought after Caucasian Rugs and commands top dollar at auction. Three medallion is the most popular and they are usually red field and less commonly are blue ground or even white.
- Ganja Rugs: Chajli Long Rug
- Ganja Rugs: The Oliveira Chajli Rug
- Ganja Rugs: Chajli Long Rug Sotheby's lot 24
Ganja Rugs: Genje Rug Late 19th century
Ganja Rugs: A Gendge rug, 2nd half 19th c **
Ganja Rugs: Striped Gendge with unusual border
Ganja Rugs: Diagonal boteh surmey ground Gendge long rug
Ganja Rugs: A four medallion Gendge rug ca. 1880**
Ganja Rugs: 3 panel Gendje Rug 2nd half 19th c.
Star Lattice Gendje
Ganja Rugs: Gendje Runner 2nd half 19th century

Zakatala

Guide to Zakatala rugs

Latchhook medallion Gendge rug Azeri Border

Note the main border above. Ian Bennett referres to it as cojoined octagons and describes it as it as characteristic of Gendge rugs. Bennett, Ian et al. Oriental Rugs Volume 1 Caucasian. page 132. I did discuss a related motif in Persian Varamin Area Shahsavan Ru-korsi.

A four medallion Gendge rug ca. 1880

The James C. Allen Azeri Gendge Rug

Gendge rugs and Kazak rugs are closely related. One important attribution is the wefts.First of all Gendge and Kazak rugs commonly have red wefts. They also have variation in the number of shots of wefts. Here we can see places where they used two shots and others where they used 4. Most Caucasian rugs have two shots of tan white or brown wefts. When you see red, more than two or variation in the number thing Gendge and Kazak rugs.Also this has the classical flat back we expect in Gendge rugs.

Sale 2192 Lot 125

Chajli Rug, South Caucasus, last quarter 19th century, three large octagonal medallions flanked by six hooked diamonds in navy blue, wine red, ivory, gold, and blue-green on the royal blue field, wine red octagon border, (small areas of wear), 8 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 5 in.
Estimate $2,000-3,000