52. KUBA SEJSHOUR

19th century, 4'10" x 3'4" [m. 1.50 X 1.04]
Warp: wool
Weft: wool, two shoots after each row of knots
Knotting: Ghiordes, wool, 72 knots per square inch [1150 per dm.2]

...The design is rather interesting. Very often a Caucasian rug motif is a geometric shape that appears to open out because of rays, arrows, the lack 'of joints, or a background color that makes the figure stand out, like the Eagle Kazak or Chelaberd. This Sejshour is the opposite—a series of enclosed triangles that use the borders as well as the linear design down the middle of the rug as sides of the triangle. The middle line is a series of crabs and crosses, and the field is decorated with rosettes, but it could also be stars, tulips, or other familiar designs.

The marvelous aspect of this rug is its yellow background, for white, green, and blue are the most often seen ground colors in a Sejshour. Although it was made in the nineteenth century, this piece is in remarkable condition. Not only is yellow hard to keep bright, but it is one of the fastest natural dyes to fade. It was often made from pomegranate rind, but judging from its good state of preservation and from the color itself, this rug must have been colored by saffron or curry.

Sejshour rugs are particularly pleasing because the pile is high and soft. They are highly sought after by European collectors both in the geometric and in the floral pattern of French influence.

Information and pictures from Luciano Coen's and Louise Duncan's "Oriental Rug" book