SOUTH CAUCASUS, MID 19TH CENTURY

The design of the present verneh, with five horizontal rows, is less frequently encountered than the standard four-by four configuration. This example displays the 'zoomorphic' design of miniature polychrome 'z'-motifs within the dragons (Ian Bennett, Caucasian Rugs, No.478) rather than the ‘non-zoomorphic’ or ‘hourglass’ motifs, (Bennett, op.cit., no.475). A third design variant features tree forms within the dragons, as seen in Sotheby's New York, 13 December 1996, Lot 92. Others with five horizontal rows include Latif Kerimov et al., Rugs & Carpets from the Caucasus: The Russian Collections, pl.57; HALI 52, p.164 (Zada, Brussels) and HALI 72, p.56 (Zadah, London). Our verneh has a particularly wide colour palette and has successfully retained most of its original long braided tassels at each end, which is uncommon.