A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG
A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG
A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG
1 More
A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG
4 More
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF JAMES D. BURNS
A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG

EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details
A SOUTH CAUCASIAN RUG
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Thick pile throughout, localised restorations, overall good condition
7ft.10in. x 4ft.4in. (239cm. x 132cm.)
Provenance
With George Gilmore, California, in the late 1990's, from whom purchased by the present owner

Brought to you by

Sara Plumbly
Sara Plumbly Director, Head of Department

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

Sign in
View condition report

Lot Essay


The design of this wonderful south Caucasian village rug is highly unusual. The ascending totemic 'tree' design, more frequently woven as a field design, here runs the length of both side borders. It is an ancient motif that is seen on the earliest Caucasian, Persian and Anatolian weavings, and which is considered to be a symbol of life, fertility and frequent growth. The motif can appear either in multiple format or, as seen here, as a single device.

The two primal polychrome hooked, stepped lozenges that dominate the field design are more closely associated with the weavings from Borjalou, an example of which is discussed by Raoul Tschebull (Qarajeh to Quba, London, 2019, pp.146-7, pl.32). Tschebull suggests that the origin of these reciprocal hooked forms is one that most probably lies in early Oguz tribal art but is also tempted to suggest that there may be a connection with the dramatic visual designs found in Uzbek mosiac felts.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets

View All
View All