Antique Kuba rug, 19th century

Published at Ian Bennett: Oriental Rugs. Volume I: Caucasian Rugs

Plate no: 438 This rug has diagonal rows of stars, a most unusual feature, and only a very narrow guard border with a medachyl design. The tight overall effect, seen at its strongest in this piece, reminds one strongly, both in design and colour, of 15th and early 16th century "Small Pattern Holbein' rugs from Anatolia. Perhaps, like the Konagkend rugs with their resemblance to the Anatolian Lotto pattern, what we are looking at is a late provincial rendering of a once fluid classical style of court carpet design. On a dark blue ground, this piece probably dates from the late 19th century. 281 x 140 cm