EAST KURDISTAN, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

The warm, earthy tones and soft-textured, fine wool are typical of the weavings from the mountainous region near to Lake Urmia in eastern Kurdistan. Most pieces from the region were traded in the town of Sauj Bulag which became synonymous with this type of weaving. The lightly corroded dark brown field is densely packed with a mosaic of polychrome serrated lozenges, known as ashlik, that appear frequently in rug designs from this region, (see Jim Burns, Antique Rugs of Kurdistan. A Historical Legacy of Woven Art, London 2002, no. 49, pp.160-1). The serrated lozenge border enclosed between narrow medachyl or 'running dog' guard stripes are often associated with the weaving of Sauj Bulag, as seen in an example in the collection of Jim Burns, (J Burns, op.cit, no.48). On both of those examples the rich brown field is heavily corroded, revealing the red wefted structure beneath. The autumnal colour palette on the present rug, including the abrashed ice-blue and apple-green lozenges, is of particular note and again typical of weavings of this group. Others of this group sold Sotheby's London, 7 November 2017, lot 44 and Rippon Boswell, 3 June 2015, lot 159.