EAST CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1880

The wide, vertical stripes displayed on this Shirvan prayer rug are highly unusual and rarely found on prayer rugs from northeast Caucasus. The broad red, navy blue and white stripes enclose bird-like Marasali boteh, vinery with geometricized floral forms and checkered polychrome boteh devices. By using simple, repeated elements in a limited color range, the weaver has created a unique and dynamic design.

For a very similar prayer rug with nearly identical motifs within the stripes, please see R. Kaffel, Caucasian Prayer Rugs, London, 1998, p. 109, no. 58. Another Shirvan prayer rug with vertical stripes was sold at Sotheby's, New York, in the Estate of Vojtech Blau sale, 14 December 2006, lot 94.