SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1850

The "tree Kazak" rug is one whose iconography stands out clearly from the other well-known Kazak types. Unlike the medallions of various shapes and symbolism, these rugs are covered with immediately recognisable plant forms. The present example showing two columns of ivory and bottle-green trees flanking a column of ivory octagonal panels each containing four red-framed radiating flowerheads and with the surrounding minor geometric motifs is very similar to the longer rug which was formerly in the McMullan Collection, now in the Fogg Art Museum (Joseph V. McMullan, Islamic Carpets, New York, 1972, no.47, pp.192-93). Christine Klose dates it to the 18th Century (Hali, vol.1, no.2, p.120, pl.11 - incorrectly captioned). Another similar example is in the James D. Burns Collection, sold in these Rooms 18 October 2001, lot 278, dated ca 1820. These two examples have a plain coloured border. A very similar border design to the present lot can be found in a Tree Kazak rug from a private American Collection which is dated 1290 (1873-4 AD) (Harold M. Keshishian, The Treasure of the Caucasus, exhibition catalogue, Norton Gallery and School of Art, Inc., Florida, 21 November 1992 - 10 January 1993, pp. 26-27. pl. 5, and in an example sold at Christie's East, New York, 12 May 1985, lot 12, dated 1273 (1856-7 AD). A dating of our rug into the third quarter of the 19th Century is therefore most probable.