|
Shirvan Medallion rug
Code: SHMD34
Size (metric): 104x167cm
Size (ft): 3'4" x 5'5"
Area: 1.73 m2
Density: 165 000 knots per square meter, totally ~280 000 knots
Colors: navy blue, medium sky blue, red, yellow, medium green, aqua green,
purple, olive green, apricot, maroon, light brown, ivory, dark brown.
Dyes:
madder,
weld
(Reseda Luteola),
indigo,
pomegranate skins,
walnut husks,
natural dark brown sheep wool, natural ivory sheep wool
Materials: all wool: Handspun wool for pile, ivory wool warps and ivory
wool wefts (two shots). 1cm of flatwoven kilim ends at both sides. - wool
on wool
End
finish: thin plaited fringes
Weaving period: four months
Weaver: Irada
Handwoven in Azerbaijan
Design:
The indigo field scattered with various polychrome floral, animal and
geometric minor motifs around three central stepped medallions, in a golden
yellow ground polychrome "leaf and calyx" main border and outer flowerhead minor
borders.
Pile height: 0.5cm
Inscriptions: tamga
(tribal seal) of Afshar tribe
|
Central field motifs
The serrated/saw-edged
medallions (flame, gubba, gubpa) have been related by some authors to
ancient Egyptian and Persian Royal insignia.
Tree of life
-
A peacock or simurgh motif - According to Latif Kerimov, the above bird
motif depicts a peacock. But there is a big possibilty that it may also
represent a Simurgh -
ancient benevolent, mythical flying creature, which was widely
used in Iran and Azerbaijan Folklore for centuries. There is a long
tradition of using the simurgh/phoenix motif in early Safavid Art,
including in rugs and kilims (derived from manuscript illumination).
The benevolent phoenix has its counterpart in Iranian and Central Asian
(known as Tughrul Kushu) lore, where it is
known as the simurgh - a wise and protective bird.
|
|
Later named as crayfish (19-20th centuries), this motif is probably an
adaptation of Central Asian hooked totemic themes.
Reciprocal birds
Interestingly similar birds motif can be found in this column capital of
the VII century church with an inscription in Caucasian Albanian, found in
Mingachevir, Azerbaijan.
|
|
spinning wheel or spindle motif
Note, the minor border consists many various elements, placed
eccentrically.
so called "glass and leaf" (or calyx and leaf) border
a rug with the calyx and leaf border can seen
in "Jesus in the House of Marta" (c. 1535), by Vasco Fernandes (better known
as Grão Vasco)
|
Portrait of a Young Nobleman, circa
1545 portrays a Caucasian rug with the so called "calyx and leaf"
border. Veneto-Lombard School |
King Henry VIII, (1537-1557) standing
on a rug with a "calyx and leaf" main border.
Unknown, after
Holbein. Petworth House. |
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
