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Antique Shirvan pictorial rug "Miracle of St.George slaying the Dragon"

Code: SHRPC01M

Age: 1900s

Size
: 141x176cm

Size (ft): 4'7"x5'9"

Knots: Gördes (Turkish, symmetrical)

Description: The rug is portraying St. George defeating the dragon; richly decorated by many figures, including the various birds, lion and other animals. A thick pomegranate tree with its fruits is also depicted in the central field.

Here, St George wearing a yellow mantle rides a white horse to the left. He holds a spear in his hands with which he kills the dragon beneath him. The triangular motif with arrowheads may represent here "God's hand" extended from heaven to bless the saint and to indicate that St. George is just an instrument of God's will.

The cult of St. George originated in the fifth century in Cappadocia. The saint was probably martyred at Lydda (Diospolis) at the end of the third or the beginning of the fourth century. According to the earliest versions of his life, he was martyred by the Persian king Dadian, in later vitae transformed into the Emperor Diocletian. In Russia, the cult spread widely during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise (the earliest representation, from the 12th century, is the fresco in the church of St. George in Staraia Ladoga).

Legend tells us that in a lake in Lybia lived a dragon that the local people worshipped as a deity. Many children were sacrificed to appease the dragon who was withholding the town’s water supply. When it came time for the daughter of the king, Saint George appeared on a horse. George arrived at the moment when the dragon was about to swallow the king's daughter, princess Sabra (or Elisaba). St. George drew his lance and knocked the dragon to the ground. His horse then trampled the dragon with its hoofs. Saint George commanded the princess to lead the dragon on a leash through the streets of the town, just as one would lead a tame animal. The king, queen and towns people witnessed this event from a distance. In mythology, combat with a serpent symbolizes a battle of good versus evil.

In Beylagan district of Azerbaijan, there is a grave of "prophet Jarjis" (Cərcis peyğəmbər). There is a folktale saying that he was a prophet before Muhammad and after Jesus. This Jarjis sould be Saint George of Lydda. His tomb is still venerated by some Muslims.

Here is a depiction of St.George slaying a dragon in an Udin church, in Azerbaijan.




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For more information about the above rug or to place an order please email vd@azerbaijanrugs.com
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