Nübar, Çillə, Mücrü — the meaning of our names
The first three chests of the collection come from three ideas of the old Azerbaijani home: the first fruits, the forty days of winter and the casket of treasures.
Nübar is the first fruit to ripen in the orchard. In Azerbaijani custom, the honour lay not in tasting the first fruit but in sharing it: whoever took the first harvest to a neighbour, the year's abundance began from their home. "Nübar olsun" — to this day, it is the blessing said to someone doing something for the first time. That is why we chose this name for the collection's entry chest.
Çillə is the harshest period of winter. Great Çillə lasts forty days from 21 December, and Little Çillə the twenty days after it. On Çillə night — the longest night of the year — watermelon, pomegranates, dried fruit and jam were brought to the table, and tales were told. The Çillə chest is a compact version of that winter table.
Mücrü is a small chest for jewellery and precious things. In old homes the mücrü's place was at the bottom of the large chest, and its key passed down the mother's line to her daughter. In the Mücrü chest, flavour takes the place of jewels: select nuts and signature sweets.
Nübar