Serial No.: 0009822
Origin: Caucasian, Azerbaijan
Town: Shirvan
Age: Late 19th Century
Style: Tribal Geometric
Size: 4’1” x 6’1”
Material: Wool pile and wool foundation, vegetable dyed
Color Scheme: Red, Peach, Turquoise, Navy
Condition: Excellent
Expert Description
Woven in the late 19th century, this striking Shirvan rug embodies the refined yet robust aesthetics of tribal Caucasian textiles. Its central field features a repeating geometric pattern that unfolds across a rich red ground, punctuated by stylized rosettes and connecting vine-like forms. Accents in peach, turquoise, and navy highlight each motif with crisp clarity, a hallmark of the symmetrical (Turkish) knotting technique favored in Shirvan weaving.
Design & Layout
The rug’s central lattice of rosettes is rendered with balanced precision, creating a dynamic interplay between negative space and colored shapes. A navy-burgundy main border frames the composition, populated by reciprocal hooks, floral buds, or smaller geometric ornaments. These border elements underscore the region’s penchant for rhythmic patterning and add an extra layer of visual interest around the primary field.
Materials & Techniques
Crafted on a wool foundation with a wool pile, the piece leverages local sheep’s wool known for its durability and natural sheen. Dyers in late 19th-century Shirvan commonly employed vegetable-based pigments, including madder root for the vibrant reds and indigo for the deep blues. The resulting palette displays nuanced tonal variations (abrash) that give the rug a lively, organic quality—an aesthetic prized among collectors of tribal Caucasian carpets.
Cultural Context & Artistic Significance
Shirvan was one of the most prolific rug-producing regions in the eastern Caucasus, where weaving was often carried out in family-run workshops or small village settings. Motifs like the stylized rosettes and branching vines reflect longstanding local traditions, conveying cultural themes of fertility, protection, and communal identity. This rug’s excellent condition testifies to both the quality of its construction and the care it has received over time.
With its vibrant color scheme, crisp geometric design, and meticulous craftsmanship, this piece stands as an outstanding example of Shirvan tribal weaving. It offers collectors and connoisseurs not only a visually compelling artifact but also a direct link to the social and artistic narratives that shaped rug-making in late 19th-century Azerbaijan.
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