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Coppersmith craft was among the most developed trades in Azerbaijan throughout the
18
th century. Foreign travellers visiting Tabriz, Ganja, Sheki and Baku reported of
special neighborhoods producing elaborate and extraordinary copper tableware. At
that particular time, there were places in Azerbaijan where coppersmith business was
the major occupation of not just a street or a neighborhood, but the majority of the
population. Lahyj, a town within the Khanate (Duchy) of Shamakhy, was one of the
residential areas of this type. Lahyj was the hub for mass production of all sorts of
household utensils, such as dolcha (can), satyl (copper bucket), aftafa (ablution jug),
majmayi (copper tray), sarnij, sarpush, etc. By their quality and quantity, copper works
manufactured in Lahyj were far not inferior to the ones crafted in large urban areas
of the day.
Along with coppersmiths, works by Azerbaijani enamelers were famous in faraway
places as they featured clear and undisturbed colors. Since each color they used to fill
in gaps had peculiarities of its own, the colors were separated from each other by
threads made of gold or other metals. Diversity of colors in enamel works crafted in
Azerbaijan, as well as their harmonious combination are truly amazing.
In the 19-20th centuries, the three major types of metal trades mostly prevalent in
Azerbaijan included blacksmith, coppersmith and goldsmith works. Blacksmiths were
mainly engaged in manufacturing agricultural and household tools, such as barbeques,
trivets, door knobs, tongs, etc.
With a very rich history and deeply-rooted traditions, coppersmith art of Azerbaijan
keeps playing an important role among the country’s metal trades to this day.
Depending on lifestyle and occupation of local residents, traditional household utensils
like qazan (pot), tava (frying pan), sini (tray), satyl (indented bucket), aftafa