Azerbaijan Shirvan Prayer carpet with an ivory latticed field


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Shirvan Prayer rug with an ivory latticed field

Code: SHRPLT0522

Size: 109x159cm

Size (ft): 3'7"x5'2"

Area: 1.71 m²

Density: more than 160 000 knots per square meter, totally ~270 000 knots

Colors: ivory, red, aubergine, hazelnut, light aqua green, lawn green, yellow, dark brown, light sky blue, medium blue, midnight blue, cinnamon, purple

Dyes: madder, weld (Reseda Luteola), indigo, pomegranate skins, walnut husks, cochineal, natural dark brown sheep wool, natural ivory sheep wool.

Materials: Handcarded and handspun wool for pile, ivory wool warps and ivory wool wefts (two shots). 1cm of flatwoven kilim ends at both sides. - wool on wool

Knots: Gördes (Turkish, symmetrical)

Pile height: 0.4 cm

Ends: thin plaited fringes

Inscriptions: 1443, weaving date (lunar calendar)

Weaver: Bilqais

Weaving Period: Three months

Handwoven in Azerbaijan

Design: The latticed central field shows "stars". Between the stars, various acnient symbols are placed;

- symbol of immortal life
- symbol of cardinal microcosm (human spreading his arms and legs symbolizing universe)
- symbol of family and health
- swastica (ancient symbol interpreted with celestial connotations, representing the heavens with the center of the swastika as the north star with the twisting arms of the motif symbolizing the movement of the constellations around that focal point)