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Sheep Breeds of Azerbaijan

Shearing,
Sorting, Washing, Carding, Spinning

"The advantages of handspun yarn to machine spun yarn"

Rediscovery of Ancient Natural Dyes
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Mordants

Difference between synthetically and naturally dyed rugs

Weaving and Finishing Steps

Galleries of ARFP Caucasian Azerbaijani Rugs

 


 

Antique Kuba Alpan rug, late 19th century, Northern Hillside Kuba Region, North East Azerbaijan


54. KUBA SEJSHOUR

19th century, 4'9" X 3'5" (m. 1.47 x 1.06)
Warp; wool
Weft: wool, two shoots after each row of knots
Knotting: Ghiordes, wool, 88 knots per square inch [1300 per dm.2]

This piece has the pleasing primitive force of many rugs not woven according to type. Like the rug in Plate 55, it is rather unusual in its black background and noticeable Chinese influence. Sejshour was no closer to China than any of the rest of the Caucasus, but somehow it seems to have been influenced more by Chinese designs. It is also distinguished by the unusually strong blue seen through the design. Like the rug in Plate 52, it has a strong linear design through the center that is composed of butterflies and stylized flowers. The "S" in the squares is a stylization of the Chinese cloudband. The figures in the field are blue, red, white, green, yellow, and pink. The outside border is white and dark blue, while the inside is pink and red, both characteristic.

Although this rug can certainly be called a geometric piece, it is dominated by squares and straight lines rather than angles. It has a somewhat coarse appearance, probably because the pile is so high.

published at Luciano Coen & Louise Duncan's The Oriental Rug