Constitutional attributes of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the art of shebeke

Abstract

The national flag, coat of arms, and national anthem are primary constitutional symbols or attributes of a state. Throughout history, they have harnessed the vigour of the nation and mobilised people in service of the Motherland. Nowadays, we can see the State Flag and Coat of Arms of Azerbaijan in many films and theatrical productions and depicted in paintings. However, only in one type of art do the state symbols of Azerbaijan receive artistic interpretation – the art of shebeke. Shebeke is a decorative plane assembled from many carved wooden elements and pieces of coloured glass fixed between them without glue or nails. The master of shebeke, Tofig Rasulov, became the owner of such a unique creative experience. This article analyses the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the figure of the king from the series «Chess Figures», and the compositions «Towers of Fire» and «Pomegranate» executed by him in the technique of shebeke.