Antique Kuba rug with so called "Gymyl" design, Kuba Region, North East Azerbaijan

18 Gymyl Kuba district, Kuba 228 x 142 cm Around 1900

The midnight-blue central field shows an elongated octagon medallion with two adjoining sunbursts (kubpa or bashlyk) above and below. Palmettes, rosettes, diamonds and other motifs, both small and large, fill the remaining field.
The midnight-blue-ground main border comprises a row of birds in counterset postures and varying colours. The embellishment of the birds' plumage with stripes and dots is striking. According to L. Kerimov, this bird border is characteristic of the second variety of Gymyl. Two broad kabala naqish (kabala pattern) minor borders enclose the main border. A further wide border with series of diamonds completes the border system.

Warps: Wool, Z 3 S, ivory.
Wefts: Wool, Z2, dark brown, 2 wefts: 1st straight, 2nd waved.
Pile: Wool, Z2, Pile Height:3.5mm. Kn: Sy3, \, 80 °, H50, V40 = 2,000 Knots / dm2.
Handle: Velours, almost thin, ribbed. Upper End: c. 0.5 cm blackish-brown wool flat-woven end, 3 countered soumak rows.
Lower End: Like upper end, but only four soumak rows.
Selvedge: c. 1 cm blackish-brown wool shirazi around 3 ribs in figure-of-eight wrapping with supplemental threads.
Colours: 10; red, brownish-red, dark brownish-red, light orange, dark brownish-orange, blackish-brown, midnight-blue, blue, yellow-olive (mustard), ivory.
Remarks: In this carpet, there is very good quality wool and good knotting, but a lack of proportion between the numerous wide borders and the strong ornamentation of the central field.

Literature: L. Kerimov II, colour plate 10.
published at Siyawouch Azadi "Azerbaijani Caucasian rugs" plate no: 18