Antique Derbend prayer rug with the serrated latticed lozenges, first half 19th century, 104 x 132 cm

This early Daghestan prayer rug and that pictured in plate 55 are very similar and probably contemporaneous. They do differ in several aspects, however. The Meyer-Müller rug in plate 55 has an unusually intense, highly saturated dark red tending to crimson. Although the rug illustrated below has wonderful wool and glowing colours, its red is lighter and more conventional than that of plate 55. The field is filled with serrated latticed lozenges, beautifully rendered in a naturalistic manner. Despite their number (69 in total), the rug does not feel overcrowded. The Meyer-Müller rug features fewer lozenges (40), drawn in a somewhat more geometric, abstract style. The main borders are identical, each employing versions of the dragon 's' found in many border guards, and a blue and black medachyl inner guard. The other guard borders differ, however. Together, the rugs offer an interesting comparison between two very good, early examples.

published Ralph Kaffel's Caucasian Prayer Rugs, plate 56
lit: published Ralph Kaffel's Caucasian Prayer Rugs, plate 56