Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Ismayilli region’s small town of Lahij may be included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, for its unique copper art.

Situated about 220 km northwest of Baku in the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Lahij is famous for its master craftsmen on copper.

This medieval town with its cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous craft and trading centers in the Caucasus and its beyond.

The nomination will be considered at the tenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to take place in Namibia from November 30 to December 4, 2015.

The history of the first metal work from copper found in Azerbaijan belongs to the Neolithic period. In the VI millennium BC after receiving copper, the national masters became to produce various items from it.

Many archaeologists claim that copper business in Azerbaijan began to develop at the beginning of the III millennium BC. In the Middle Ages, Azerbaijani masters were able to create about 80 varieties of copper products. Once copper were mined in Lahij, but when the local resources became to languish, masters began to purchase this beautiful plastic metal.

Even today a dozen workshops are operating here, demonstrating hereditary blacksmiths who make various household items in front of the astonished tourists.

The ornaments of Lahij masters have always been associated with the image of the real world of flora and fauna. The patterns of the dishes are rich in visual elements and original interpretation of flowers and leaves.

It is believed that the legendary Manomakh’s cap, a chief relic worn by Russian tsars for many centuries, was made here.

Several European and Asian museums still store samples of art, made of copper by Lahij masters, what indicates to the high development of the copper business in ancient Azerbaijan.

Lahij became especially famous for manufacturing knives and copper utensils, decorated with engraved designs.

Copper utensils from Lahij are also stored in the famous Paris Louvre Museum. Bern Historical Museum also houses samples of firearms and bladed weapons from Azerbaijan, among which there are different richly ornamented rifles, swords and daggers made by Lahij masters.

Today, Lahij is considered a historical and architectural memorial, protected by the state. Removed and isolated, this town has its unique atypical style of life and its appearance is preserved in its original form till now.

For over 20 years of the existing ties between UNESCO and Azerbaijan a number of Azerbaijan’s material and non-material culture was included in the honor roll of UNESCO's world masterpieces.

UNESCO’s Heritage list includes the Novruz holiday, Azerbaijani mugham, Azerbaijani ashig art, the Azerbaijani carpet, traditional Kalagayi headwear and national musical instrument “tar.”

The main list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Azerbaijan includes Icherisheher in Baku, including the Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, and the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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