About the Antique Rugs of the Future Project

 Sheep Breeds of Azerbaijan

 Shearing, Sorting, Washing, Carding, Spinning

 "The advantages of handspun yarn to machine spun yarn"

 Rediscovery of Ancient Natural Dyes		 Our Natural Dyestuffs

 Mordants

 Difference between synthetically and naturally dyed rugs

 Weaving and Finishing Steps

 Galleries of ARFP Caucasian Azerbaijani Rugs
 

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Antique Derbend rug in a blue field with a Khyrda-Gul pattern, 19th century, 4'2" x 6'4", Claremont Rug Company

Exceptional clarity and a tour-de-force display of rarely seen antique dyes bring tremendous presence to this magnetic piece from the Daghestan region in the Northeast Caucasus. The impact of electric ruby, saffron, peach and ivory tones are redoubled by the virtuoso abrash striation underlying the crisply rendered allover field pattern. Note how the hues shift from exotic azure to sky blue to an almost-never-encountered aquamarine hue. Faceted, gem-like abstractions of botanical forms fill this 140-year-old masterwork with graphic energy. Virtually full-pile condition adds to its allure.