KARABAGH REGION, SOUTH CAUCASUS, LATE 18TH CENTURY

There is an assumption that, over time, simple, uncomplicated designs gave way to complexity and over-elaboration. By contrast, in 18th century Caucasian rugs, we see an increasing simplification, with individual motifs and design elements becoming enlarged and emphasised. The design parallel to earlier 17th and 18th century Caucasian 'Dragon' carpets in the present carpet is undisputed, (see previous lot in the sale for a fuller discussion on the 'Dragon' group). Here, the drawing corresponds with the final phase of the evolution of the design, as outlined by Charles Grant Ellis (Early Caucasian Rugs, Washington D.C., 1975). The weaver has loosened the design and the lattice has become relaxed, with abstract palmettes and dragons that are reduced to serpentine lines. The palmettes appear to float and are enclosed by scattered small birds, animals, flowers and amulets that populate the field.
The border of stepped octagons is one that is more frequently found on contemporaneous east Caucasian flat-weaves that also take their design stimulus from the so-called 'Dragon' carpets. This theory is reinforced by the limited number of just six border variants that can be found in this group, (A. Boralevi, Sumakh: Flat-woven carpets of the Caucasus, Firenze, 1986, p.27). The border of this carpet is comparable to the Wher Collection 'Dragon' Soumac which is dated 1806 (see Sean Gough, 'Dragon Soumakhs', in HALI, vol.6, no.3, 1984, pp.246-53, p.253 and Serare Yetkin, Early Caucasian Carpets in Turkey, London, 1978, Vol.II, pl.159, p.39).
The calligraphic inscription in the upper half of the field is difficult to decipher as it has corroded so heavily, but we are able to determine that it was a personal commission for a tribal leader. It has not been possible to learn anything further of the person who commissioned it. The numeric date is partially legible as '12..', which suggests that the carpet was woven at its earliest in the 1780's.

sahib hadha … aslan khan … kha kha (?) arsalan (?) khan shaybani (?) … fi sanah (?) 12..'
The owner of this (is) …Aslan Khan …Kha Kha (?) Arsalan (?) Khan Shaybani (?)…. 12..

The present carpet appears to represent a transitional stage in the development of Caucasian carpets, between the large format rugs of the 17th and early 18th centuries, and the classic Kazak and Karabagh weavings of the later 19th century. The bold colour palette and the simplified design create a visually powerful and evocative impression and the carpet continues the design lexicon for later 19th century carpets.