Lot Essay
Warp: wool, medium brown, natural Z2S
Weft: wool, medium brown, Z1 or Z2, unplied, two shoots alternating, first straight, second wavy, Z2 weft is always the first
Pile: wool, Z2, symmetric knots pulled leftward, up to 50 degrees alternate warp depression, H9xV11-12, a few lazy lines pattern-concealed
Sides: not original
Ends: top, 1cm. brick, Z1, weft-faced plainweave; bottom, not original
Colors: cardinal, old ivory, yellow, brown-black, light blue, abrashed medium blue, salmon, dark brown, lime, rose brown, deep greenish blue, red brown, pale blue, forest green, buff
The lot offered here belongs to a rare group of rugs whose precise attribution has been disputed amongst carpet scholars. There are approximately twelve known examples, however, which all share extremely close similarities in format and design indicating that they form a homogenous group. The predominant design motifs seen in these rugs, the central "sunburst" palmette and large curling leaves, are most akin to the eighteenth century Caucausian "dragon" of "blossom" carpets. However, the structure and secondary design motifs of these rugs also have distinct Anatolian characteristics. As such, they have often been attributed to an overlapping region incorporating northeastern Anatolia, northwest Persia and the southern Caucasus. In the above cited article, Peter Willborg discusses eight other pieces of this group and argues that these rugs were woven in the Demirji/Ghiordes region of western Anatolia by displaced Armenian weavers who imported the design from the Caucasus. While this theory of weavers and design inspiration is unproven, the Ghiordes region remains the most plausible source for these rugs. A Ghiordes region attribution is supported by the similarity of minor design motifs, palette and technique found in this group and contemporaneous and later weavings known to be from the Ghiordes region. In the currently offered Williamsburg rug, the connection to Ghiordes is most notable in the floral bud surround of the field, which is commonly seen in Ghiordes and Kula weavings, and the "S"-motif border, which can appear as a panel design in Ghiordes prayer rugs. Although we may never know for certain the precise origin for this rug, its bold design and harmonious coloration create a rug that is not only historically intriguing but also extremely beautiful.
Weft: wool, medium brown, Z1 or Z2, unplied, two shoots alternating, first straight, second wavy, Z2 weft is always the first
Pile: wool, Z2, symmetric knots pulled leftward, up to 50 degrees alternate warp depression, H9xV11-12, a few lazy lines pattern-concealed
Sides: not original
Ends: top, 1cm. brick, Z1, weft-faced plainweave; bottom, not original
Colors: cardinal, old ivory, yellow, brown-black, light blue, abrashed medium blue, salmon, dark brown, lime, rose brown, deep greenish blue, red brown, pale blue, forest green, buff
The lot offered here belongs to a rare group of rugs whose precise attribution has been disputed amongst carpet scholars. There are approximately twelve known examples, however, which all share extremely close similarities in format and design indicating that they form a homogenous group. The predominant design motifs seen in these rugs, the central "sunburst" palmette and large curling leaves, are most akin to the eighteenth century Caucausian "dragon" of "blossom" carpets. However, the structure and secondary design motifs of these rugs also have distinct Anatolian characteristics. As such, they have often been attributed to an overlapping region incorporating northeastern Anatolia, northwest Persia and the southern Caucasus. In the above cited article, Peter Willborg discusses eight other pieces of this group and argues that these rugs were woven in the Demirji/Ghiordes region of western Anatolia by displaced Armenian weavers who imported the design from the Caucasus. While this theory of weavers and design inspiration is unproven, the Ghiordes region remains the most plausible source for these rugs. A Ghiordes region attribution is supported by the similarity of minor design motifs, palette and technique found in this group and contemporaneous and later weavings known to be from the Ghiordes region. In the currently offered Williamsburg rug, the connection to Ghiordes is most notable in the floral bud surround of the field, which is commonly seen in Ghiordes and Kula weavings, and the "S"-motif border, which can appear as a panel design in Ghiordes prayer rugs. Although we may never know for certain the precise origin for this rug, its bold design and harmonious coloration create a rug that is not only historically intriguing but also extremely beautiful.