22

Eastern Caucasus, Shirvan district

Long Rug, mid-19th century

The large, stylized birds guarding the ends of the field are characteristic of rugs known by the trade name "Akstafa," woven in the Shirvan district. The two large red medallions, each flanked by white-framed squares in a "2-1-2" arrangement, are reminiscent of Turkish patterns that evolved in earlier centuries. In the tradition of both Caucasian and Persian folk weavings of the period, household implements and a variety of creatures appear scattered throughout the field. The gaily dressed family group may have had specific meaning to the weaver. Rugs such as this, in which many real-life and mythical elements appear together, reveal the rich tradition of village and tribal life in the pre-20th-century Caucasus.

M.H.

Published: James D. Burns, The Caucasus: Traditions in Weaving, Seattle, James D. Burns, 1987, p. 22.

 

SIZE: 113 x 40 in. (287 x 101.6 cm.)

WARP: wool, Z3S; light brown

WEFT: cotton, Z3S x 2; ivory

PILE: cotton, Z3S x 2; ivory PILE: wool, Z2S, symmetrical knots, h. 9, v. 10, 90 k/sq. in.; ivory, dark brown, brown-red, light brown-red, purple-red, orange, light orange, yellow, gold, green, green-blue, dark blue, blue

ENDS: cut

SIDES: brown wool selvedge of 1 cord of 3 warps, some replacement overcasting