Shirvan rug (497)

Shirvan rug from eastern Caucasus,west coast of the Caspian Sea

Age: circa 1890

Size: 5′.8"x3′.10" (173×117 cm)

The tomato red field features a double keyhole motif with an ivory surround,a central blue rectangle with an ivory border enclosing a red octagon,and at each end is a smaller ivory octagon.The central vertical panels show arrowhead patterns.At each end of the field there are four yellow triangular fillers along with a scatter of rectangled hooked lozenge and other small geometric elements.The ivory main border shows a chain of colorful Memling-Guls.The light camel outermost border displays polychrome octagons while the dark brown inner presents small stars.There is a bitonal keyhole reciprocal and two quincunx lines.The selvedges are original and at each end is a flatwoven strip followed by a macrame finish.The weave is tight and compact.All the colors are from natural sources.The piece is in good condition.