AN AZERBAIJAN LONG RUG, SOUTH CAUCASUS, LOT 90, 8,000—12,000 USD, approximately 10ft. 6in. by 4ft. 10in. (3.20 by 1.47m.), mid-19th century oxidized charcoals, repiling, reselvaged, rewoven end guard stripes, small reweaves along edges

Sotheby's Sale: N07852  |  Location: New York 
Auction Dates: Session 1: Tue, 03 Dec 02 10:15 AM

The development of the harshang design, from its formalized and multi-planed origins in the large scale Caucasian "Floral" carpets of the 18th century to the relatively naive and asymmetric rendering of mid-19th village weavings such as this, demonstrates both the timelessness and adaptability of the design. Here the drawing is exuberant and vivacious, the subtlety of the underlying grid system of vinery in the 18th century prototype is much more apparent, the delicate curvilinear quality of the palmettes and split leaves are interpreted in an angular and dramatic fashion with the focus firmly established on a central column of three bold rosettes. The relationship between border and field has become more integral with the border now acting as a dynamic motif rather than a mere framing device. For an 18th century "Floral" carpet with the harshang design and a reciprocal border see: Yetkin, Serare, Early Caucasian Carpets in Turkey, Vol. I, London, 1978, pl. 85. For related mid-19th century long rugs see: Sotheby's New York, June 9, 1990, lot 48, Grogan, Boston, June 7, 1990, lot 123 and Bensoussan, Pamela, "Four "Harshang" Pattern Carpets in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs", Hali, Vol. 3, No. 3, p. 209, No. 3