EAST CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1850

This is one of a very small group of Shirvan rugs of very similar design; of the group this is the only prayer rug. The three pieces most similar to this are one sold at Christie's New York, 17 December 1996, lot 149, the other with Herrmann (Eberhart: Asiatische Teppiche und Textilkunst, Munich, 1992, no.27, pp.62-3; and one in a German Collection (Kaukasiche Teppiche, exhibition catalogue, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1962, no.106). There are two further published related pieces: One with only three columns in the field was sold by Lefevre and Partners, London, 23 November 1984, the other with Emmet Eiland (Hali vol.1, no.3, Autumn 1978, advertisement p.53, with ten columns). With the exception of the last piece, all share the same very unusual border and are executed in relatively soft colours, as is the present example. Among these soft colours there is also a great variety and subtlety, particularly noticeable in the near abstract borders.