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The Middle Ages constitute one of the richest periods in the history of popular trades
in Azerbaijan. Household utensils found in the course of archaeological excavations
around Mingechevir, nowadays exhibited in the Azerbaijan History Museum, Baku,
are of a particular interest among the finds related to this period. A silver plate of a
very nice shape adorned with an elaborate ornament is standing out among the works
from this collection.
Gold and silver belt particles, rings, bracelets and other elements of jewellery
excavated in Mil Plain, Gabala, Mingechevir and Nakhchivan provide sufficient
evidence of highly developed jeweller’s art in the territory of Azerbaijan back in the
early mediaeval period. The works discovered feature the most intricate jewellery
techniques, such as filigree, impression, embossment, lettering, etc.
The 11-15th centuries were the period when the art of metal works thrived in
Azerbaijan. Artefacts of that time include various types of firearms, diverse home
appliances and other works, many of them preserved to this day. As it was the case
in previous centuries, Ganja, Shamakhy, Nakhchivan and Tabriz were the major hubs
for metal works’ production. Archaeological excavations indicate increasing role of
Baku as of the 12th century.
Manufactured metal products are of a particular interest among excavated works of
art related to the period in question. Majority of them were found in the course of
excavations conducted at the reserve area of the Shirvanshah Royal Palace in Baku’s
Icherisheher (the Inner City). A bronze barbeque roughly dating back to the 13-14th
centuries found in the District of Guba is another interesting find related to the area
of Shirvan. A semi-spheric barbeque 30 cm in height, 131 cm in girth and 41 cm in
diameter features an extraordinary shape and elaborate ornamental decorations.
According to the inscriptions carved upon, the barbeque was manufactured by
coppersmith named Ahmad ibn Muhammad. Other towns of Azerbaijan, like
Beylagan, Ganja, Nakhchivan and Tabriz were also among the major hubs of copper
production at that period.