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The Palace which was a summer residence of Shaki Khans constructed in 1762, still remains one of the most visible landmarks of Shaki.
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Azerbaijan 22 Shebeke & Sheki
Shaki is situated in northern Azerbaijan on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 325 km from Baku. The population is 63,000. The Palace of Shaki Khans which was a summer residence of Shaki Khans constructed in 1762, still remains one of the most visible landmarks of Shaki.
The technique of stained glass production in Azerbaijan and Iran is different from European. Instead of lead, strips of wood are used
A strip of wood has channels where glass is inserted. Channels are normally used in traditional woodwork to connect up two pieces of wood together without using nails. The glass is placed inside channels and wooden strips are put together without glue or nails
The width of a channel is equal to the glass thickness. In the past a 3mm-thick glass was used, but now it is mostly of 5 mm thickness. A panel of wooden stained glass is solid and durable; it can stand a stroke of a man or a strong wind. The design of wooden stained glass based on geometry of a square or a triangle is widespread
In Azerbaijan wooden stained glass is called ‘shebeke’. Basically, ‘shebeke’ is a stone grill, but this term is also used for the wooden grill. In Azerbaijan ancient town of Sheki is a centre for shebeke production and restoration. Sheki Khan Palace built in 18th century is lavishly decorated with shebeke. Along with geometric shapes there are biomorphic rhomb-shaped motifs
The skill of wood windows production and restoration is transferred from father to son
The Sheki master craftsmen whose name was Ashraf Rasulov (father of Tofik) says that there are 16 different types of shebeke patterns in Sheki Khan Palace. Among other shebeke constructions from Sheki Khan Palace that Ashraf restored was a little door. The quantity of wooden pieces he needed to carve out for this door was about 14000! He tried different kinds of wood and found out that beeсh wood and sycamore tree are the best for refine carving
Ashraf’s son TofikRasulov, is now the only master in Azerbaijan who knows all secrets of shebeke craft. He kindly showed us around his workshop nearby Sheki Khan Palace and the technique of shebeke production
Many public places and private houses in Shaki are decorated with shebeke, a wooden lattice of pieces of coloured glass, held together without glue or a single nail
The craft work called 'shebeke’ can also be found across the borders, in Iran and in Georgia. Shebeke windows bring color and life to buildings
The windows of Sheki Khan Palace, built in the XVIII century, is the most beautiful example of the fine network art. Beautiful compositions in palace besides preserving its two-century old view with colorful patterns, causes the interest of a large number of tourists coming here today for their brightness
Shabaka (shebeke) fill walls and window openings of halls and rooms in the Palace of Shaki Khans. Geometric patterns of shabaka-windows harmonize with the general composition of the palace’s façade
Stained-glass windows of central halls and side rooms open on the façade. These stained-glass windows are the special feature in the palace’s architecture
The Palace was a summer residence of Shaki Khans. Constructed in 1762 without a single nail is one of the most marvelous monuments of its epoch
