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back to "An Educational Guide to Antique Shirvan Prayer rugs" main page

 

Antique Shirvan Prayer rug, Shirvan Region, Azerbaijan. Late 19th century.


A SHIRVAN PRAYER RUG
EAST CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1880

Price Realized $28,750

Estimate
$8,000 - $12,000
 

Sale Information
SALE 2350 —
500 YEARS: DECORATIVE ARTS EUROPE, INCLUDING ORIENTAL CARPETS
21 - 22 October 2010
New York, Rockefeller Plaza
 

LOT NOTES
FEATURES
Lot Description
A SHIRVAN PRAYER RUG
East Caucasus, Circa 1880
Approximately 5 ft. 9 in. x 3 ft. 4 in. (175 cm. x 102 cm.)

Lot Notes
The wide, vertical stripes displayed on this Shirvan prayer rug are highly unusual and rarely found on prayer rugs from northeast Caucasus. The broad red, navy blue and white stripes enclose bird-like Marasali boteh, vinery with geometricized floral forms and checkered polychrome boteh devices. By using simple, repeated elements in a limited color range, the weaver has created a unique and dynamic design.

For a very similar prayer rug with nearly identical motifs within the stripes, please see R. Kaffel, Caucasian Prayer Rugs, London, 1998, p. 109, no. 58. Another Shirvan prayer rug with vertical stripes was sold at Sotheby's, New York, in the Estate of Vojtech Blau sale, 14 December 2006, lot 94.