AH 1220 or 1240 dated (1824 AD) antique Shirvan Kabistan prayer rug, Southern Shirvan Region, Azerbaijan. Ian Bennett's Oriental Rugs, Volume I, plate 428

Bennett’s notes: “This rug constitutes something of a puzzle. It is dated 1220 A.H. (A.D. 1805/6), although at first glance, this would seem to be impossibly early, The overall appearance of the rug is static and stiff, qualities not normally associated with early pieces. Technically, it is of very fine quality and our colour reproduction does not do it justice; it will be found more accurately reproduced in Peter Bausback's Antike Orientteppiche (p.236). According to Bausback, the piece has a wool warp and weft and is partly piled in silk. Although these are structural characteristics associated in particular with older pieces, I think the date is probably 'wrong'…
It should be noted, in addition, that the use of silk, either in the foundation or the pile, is not necessarily an indication of old age. It is arguable that we might be dealing with a copy of an old rug made perhaps in the early 20th century, but incorporating the date which appeared on the model.”