KUBA REGION, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

The characteristic blue and ivory 'wave' or 'running dog' pattern in the minor stripes of the present rug, is seen on north east Caucasian flatweaves throughout the nineteenth century. In his discussion on the group, Raoul Tschebull suggests that this border has no obvious Caucasian textile antecedent, and may be derived from earlier metalwork, ceramics or Chinese textiles, (R. Tschebull, 'Zeikhur', HALI, Issue 62, April 1992, p.89). A comparable red-ground soumac of similar design and dated 1852 is published by Alberto Levi, Sumakh, Firenze, 1986, pp.70-1, pl.20.