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SIZE: 105 x 38 3/4 in. (266.7 x 98.4 cm.)
WARP: wool, Z3S; brown, ivory
WEFT: cotton, Z3S x 3-5; ivory; wool, z2s x 2-3; blue, red
PILE: wool, Z2S, symmetrical knots, h. 7, v. 8, 56 k/sq. in.; ivory,
black-brown, red-brown, red, yellow, green, blue-green, dark blue, blue,
light blue
ENDS: cut
SIDES: red, light orange, and blue wool selvedge of 3 cords of 2 warps each
Southwestern Caucasus, Moghan district
Long Rug, 1st half of the 19th century
This old runner from the Moghan district was once several feet longer, but
its reduction (barely visible just above the bottom border) has in no way
diminished its impact. While the "Memling guls" in the ivory main border are
common Caucasian motifs, the colorful hooked diamonds in the narrow red
field are a curiosity. Similar figures with "smooth" contours appear in pile
rugs from the southwestern Caucasus, (see cat. nos. 14 and 18). Here,
however, the weaver has created them with purposefully drawn sawtooth edges,
so that they resemble devices commonly seen in Anatolian and Iranian kilims,
which often use this step-like effect to create diagonal elements. The soft,
luminous blue in the inside minor border, in subtle contrast to the stronger
blue of the outer border, helps to contain the strong primary colors of this
piece and to create a powerful visual statement. The stylized flowers in the
minor borders are seldom seen in later Caucasian pile weavings.
published at New England Rug Society, "THROUGH THE COLLECTOR'S EYE",
Oriental Rugs from New England Private Collections
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