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

A lattice rug, with conjoined hexagons containing stars. In various forms, this is one of the most ancient of central Asian designs and can be found on rugs depicted in European paintings 15th century, some of which, scholars have argued, may have Caucasian origin. The border design is typical of Gendje rugs. Eiland, in Oriental Rugs (pl. 155b) illustrates an example with an identical field composition, reciprocal medachyl borders and cotton wefts, which is attributed to 20th century Talish. Late 19th century, 250 x 112 cm. Published at Ian Bennett's Oriental Rugs, Volume I, plate 155