Antique Moghan (Mughan) rug, late 19th century, Azerbaijan

The red field, contains florettes, boteh and an amusing human figure accompanied by three camels. The border of crab florettes between brackets seems to be a degenerate and coarse descendant of the Kufic border design. Possibly an old rug, and certainly a most attractive one, although the main border design is decidedly clumsy. It is perhaps worth remarking that any rug which has so charming field design as this will always have a ready market, even though its origin and the quality of manufacture may be in doubt. late 19th century. 207x113 cm. Published at Ian Bennett's Oriental Rugs, Volume I, plate 147