EAST CAUCASUS, LATE 19TH CENTURY

The distinctive design of the St. Andrew’s cross in the present lot is widely accepted as being attributable to Seychour, in the north of the Kuba region. Other notable design elements from this weaving centre are the classic cabbage rose inner and the so-called ‘Gregorian’ outer border (Ian Bennett, Oriental Rugs: Volume 1 Caucasian, Austria, 1981, p.288). This blue and white border design is typical of the group and is a clear variant of the ‘running dog’ motif. A comparable example but with a less ambitious colour scheme was offered in Christie’s, New York, 24 November 2009, lot 448 and a particularly accomplished example that typifies the group sold in Rippon Boswell, Wiesbaden, 13 November 1993, lot 89.