SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1870

The present rug with the shaded green-blue field is a wonderful example showing the change from a green field of usually rarer Fachralo rugs to a blue field in generally later ones. One of the most beautiful early examples was sold in these Rooms (Rugs and Carpets, Battilossi Tappetti d'Antiquariato, 11 February 1998, lot 53.) This and our rug share the same border design of serrated leaves alternating with stylised glasses. Another example with a slightly more crowded pattern on a shaded green-blue field and the same border is illustrated in Eberhart Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche, IV, München, 1978, p.124, pl.34. Both the Hermann and the Battilossi rug have blue dotted guard stripes. A third example, sold at Sotheby's New York, 1 April 1992, lot 34, is of very similar design as the present lot on a shaded green field and has the same combination of main border and zig-zag guard stripes.