ON THE CONDITION OF FOLK CRAFTS IN NAKHCHIVAN IN THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF NAKHCHIVAN AND ORDUBAD)

Abstract

Historically, Nakhchivan has been one of the main centres of Azerbaijani folk crafts. In ancient and medieval times, as well as in the studied period -early 19th and 20th centuries, crafts was one of the major occupations of Nakhchivan population, as well as Nakhchivan and Ordubad cities. Some fields of carfts, such as metalworking (blacksmithing, coppersmithing, jewellery making, gunsmithing), weaving, pottery, leather making and so on played an important role in the socioeconomic life of the region. Craft products played an important role in the welfare of the population, as well as in domeestic and foreign trade. Some problems, such as the condition of handicrafts in Nakhchivan and Ordubad cities, the main fields of crafts, the interior design and work principles of crafts workshops, including craftsmen and their social origins are examined in the article.