Antique Derbend prayer rug with the vertical bands, 19th century 

Vertical bands are uncommon on prayer rugs from northeast Caucasia, although they do appear with some frequency on rugs from the south, particularly Karabagh (see plate 27). The weaver's economical use of colour does not lessen this rug's considerable appeal. The red vertical panels match the main border and contain bird-like, diagonally striped Marasali boteh; the ivory panels contain larger polychrome boteh of a different type in a variety of designs, while the two black panels feature a meandering vine with floral motifs and serrated leaf forms.

The rug has much in common with the wonderful, full-pile example published by Eberhart Herrmann in Von Uschak bis Yarkand (plate 44). Both share the design of vertical panels with ascending vines, boteh. blossoms and horizontal leaf forms, framed by a Marasali-type boteh border. While Herrmann's rug has a somewhat greater range of colour, the similarities are nonetheless compelling. This carpet was one of 16 pieces from die collection of Harold Zulalian, Sr, which were disposed at Sotheby's, New York, on 3 December 1988 (along with 11 pieces from the collection of Dr and Mrs. Hans Zimmer).

published Ralph Kaffel's Caucasian Prayer Rugs, plate 58
lit: published Ralph Kaffel's Caucasian Prayer Rugs, plate 58