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late 19th century, 4'11" x 3'6" (m. 1.52 x 1.09)
Warp: wool
Weft: wool, two shoots after each row of knots
Knotting: Ghiordes, wool, 17 knots per square inch [1870 per dm.2]
Daghestan, an area north of Kuba, produces rugs of a construction unique in
the Caucasus. The warp threads, which in other rugs are almost invariably
horizontal, are on a diagonal that is sometimes as pronounced as 75 degrees.
They are tightly woven, and the result is strong and supple. Another anomaly
of the Daghestan region is the fact that even though it is in the northern
part of the Caucasus the pile of its rugs is as thick as that of Kazaks or
Karabaghs.
A honeycombed white field decorated with a variety of multicolored flowers
is a classic Daghestan type. The wide red border contains a remnant of a
dragon's head, and the edges are bound in red and white.
The Gothic arch indicates a fairly early date. It symbolizes a clean, honest
walk into a mosque, unlike some of the diminished later arches that are
almost indentations in the line of the mihrab rather than an architectural
feature.
The rug is dated twice, once on either side of the arch, with the date 1311
Hegira, which is equivalent to 1893. Even though rugs were occasionally
backdated to make them appear to be antiques, this date is acknowledged to
be original.
A little comb, one of the weaver's tools, has been woven into the inside of
the arch.
Since these are such small, gay rugs, they are particularly attractive as
wall hangings.
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