|
Antique Kuba rug, perhaps mid19th century, North East Azerbaijan |
|
306 A splendidly
archaic-looking and beautifully coloured Kuba rug: The relationship of the
overall composition of this piece, with its huge octagonal medallions and
generously spaced Kufic borders, to the so-called Large Pattern Holbein rugs
of 15th/l6th century Turkey is obvious. Among more recent Caucasian weaving,
however, it is an unusual design to find on pile woven carpets, being closer
to certain soumaks, with their bold geometric medallions. Among the latter
we illustrate 473 has a clearly relatable central star motif witin each
octagon, which in turn is contained within a huge star. We might also
compare the design of the fine soumak illustrated by Joseph V. McMullan in
Islamic Carpets (plate 51). The author comments on the motifs within each
medallion, similar to those seen here: "These... large, effulgent stars,
which appear in the Spanish rugs of the 15th century, using a design
transmitted from Western Asia through Egypt into Spain by the Muslims. The
design disappeared from Spain by the 16th century, but was still
occasionally used in the Caucasus." The maroon and pink floral inner border
of this rug, so beautifully drawn and well-spaced, is also worthy of special
note. A very fine piece and, although earlier examples are known, one cannot
help feeling that this might prove to be early 19th century. 202 x 107 cm
Lit: Ian Bennett's Oriental Rugs Volume I
|
