KAZAK REGION, SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1870

The ascending totemic 'tree' design that runs the entire length of the field in the present rug is an ancient motif that is seen on the earliest Caucasian, Persian and Anatolian weavings, and which is considered to be a symbol of life, fertility and frequent growth. The treatment of the motif can appear either in multiple format or, as seen here, as a single device. This simplified depiction is not dissimilar to the 'pomegranate tree' carpets found in eastern Turkestan (see lot 265 in the present sale), or the rare group of Ersari prayer rugs.

The design of stepped, serrated polycrome lozenges between reciprocal skittle pattern guard stripes is found on other weavings from Borjalou, including another rug discussed by Peter Willborg, where it is displayed in the field design, (Textile Treasures from five Countries, Skövde, 1995, pl.20); one noted as 18th century, illustrated by Ulrich Schürmann, Caucasian Carpets, Munich, 1965, pp.70-71; HALI 39, May/June, 1988, p.58 and another sold in Christie's London, 8 October 2014, lot 66.