SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1870

The characteristic over-sized central shield medallion is nearly always displayed within Sewan Kazak rugs. Its drawing appears to fall into three different design shapes that include; larger wings and arrow-heads; square or squared-octagonal ends or straight sides with an arrow-head finish. Ours falls into the first of these which is often referred to as the 'Shield' or 'Maltese Cross'. It is through the inclusion of small details and the interplay of colour that the weaver is able to diversify. The wonderfully rich palette of the present lot, with its lapis-blue border of 'serrated leaf and glass' design, is similar in drawing and design to one published by Ian Bennett, Oriental Rugs, Volume 1 Caucasian, London, 1981, p.37, pl.17. Both rugs display the same stylised double-headed animal figures within the field design.