Antique Southern Shirvan rug, Azerbaijan

82 Arjiman
Shemakha district, Shirvan
293 X 151 cm
2nd half of 19th century

The midnight-blue ground displays six medallions with flame appendages in the centre of the vertical axis. The significance of this group has already been explained in the context of previous Arjiman pieces. What distinguishes this rug from the others of the group is the portrayal of various fabulous birds which are rather typical of Salyan (so-called Akstafa). Above the giant two-legged creature, there is a four-legged one which a man is standing on. Trees, bushes and numerous ornaments hardly leave any square millimetre free. What is particularly aesthetic is the shamdan respectively mashaal border on a golden-yellow ground (candelabra or torch, so-called wine glass or tulip border). Two stripes of rosettes on a midnight-blue ground flank the main border. A reciprocal crenellated border (madakhil) has been inserted towards the inside.

Warp: Wool, Z3 S, light ivory.
Weft: Cotton, Z2, white, 2 wefts: 1st tighter, 2nd waved
Pile: Wool, Z2. PH.: 4.5 mm.
Knots: Symmetrical 2, \, 45, H40, V40 = 1,600 Kn/dm2.
Handle: Velours, almost thin, ribbed. Upper end: c. 3 cm flat-woven end, c. 1.5 cm layered white cotton simple tapestry weave (4 rows of dark brownish-red wool simple tapestry weave in the centre), then groups of warps cross-braided in four rows, then knotted in 3 staggered rows.
Lower End: c.2cmcotton+ wool simple tapestry weave (1 cm layered cotton simple tapestry weave, then 2 rows dark brownish-red simple tapestry weave, then light wool simple tapestry weave again); groups of warps knotted in staggered rows.
Selvedge: c. 0.7 cm white cotton shirazi around 2 ribs in figure-of-eight wrapping with supplemental threads.
Colours: 12; dark brownish-red, brownish-red, pink, orange, yellow, blackish-brown, midnight-blue, blue, light blue, yellowish green, green, ivory. Condition: Good. Literature: Doris Eder, he. at, p. 258, ill. 259.

from Siyawouch Azadi "Azerbaijani Caucasian rugs"