SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1870

The field design of the present lot follows the typical composition of Karatchopf weavings with a central octagonal medallion flanked by mirrored rectangles and other scattered geometric motifs. The inclusion of armed figures on horseback is a charming addition and suggests the rug was possibly woven for a tribal leader. The prominent feature of this piece, however, is the movement created by the interplay between the minor stripes and border. The side borders of linked downward facing double-hooked motifs bring the eye upward, which is then drawn across by the ‘S’-scroll at the top and bottom. This is only heightened by the ‘running dog’ inner, and reciprocal skittle-pattern outer, minor stripes. The stylised tree motifs found in the field designs of classic Sewan Kazaks is certainly relatable, as seen in a rug published by Ian Bennett (Tapis du Caucase, Beirut, 2003, no.7, p.61). However, Karatchopf rugs usually employ the glass and serrated-leaf border pattern or a small number of other variants making the border of our rug particularly unusual and one to which we can find no direct comparable. The border of double ‘E’ ornaments in a rug published by Ulrich Schurmann shows some comparison although fails to deliver similar movement (U. Schurmann, Caucasian Rugs, London, 1965, no.23, p.101).