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

 


 

Antique Shirvan rug with Konagkend design, Azerbaijan

210 X 132 cm, Early 20th century

The characteristic feature of this group is the generous ornamentation of the central field, while there are varieties with a red, dark-blue (like this one) and white (very rare) ground. The centre is dominated by a large stepped medallion which is surrounded by an octagon (göl) with appendages at the top and bottom. Another four octagons (göls) in the corners are an additional important feature, just as the triangles with or, like here, without appendages.

Earlier categories have richer drawings than the later ones which usually have only few ornaments.

The main border on a light ground is quite common all over the Caucasus. It is a curved or bent, broken and intermittent vine meander which is set off with palmettes or stars (ulduzlu variety). A carnation border and a simple sequence of round cross-flowers surround the main border.


Warp: Wool, Z3 S, ivory (the right half), 2 X ivory +1 X brown and 1 X ivory + 2 X brown.
Weft: Cotton, Z2, white, 2 wefts: 1st tighter, 2nd waved.
Pile: Wool, Z2,
Pile Height: 2.5mm.
Knot: Symmetrical 3, \, 35 °, H55 x V45 = 2,475 Knots / dm2.
Handle: Velvety, thin, ribbed.
Selvedge: Thin, round and dark brownish-red wool shirazi.
Colours: 10; dark crimson, dark brownish-red. yellow, light brown, blackish-brown, midnight-blue, dark blue, greyish-blue, greyish-green, ivory.
Literature: L. Kerimov ll p. 195, ill. 160. Ulrich Schurniann, loc. cit., p. 275, colour ill. 103 published a world-class piece

from Siyawouch Azadi "Azerbaijani Caucasian rugs"