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
 

 

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Date: early 16th century
Geography: Turkey, probably Istanbul
Culture: Islamic
Medium: Silk, metal wrapped thread; taqueté (seraser)
Dimensions: Textile: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm) W. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm) Mount: H. 21 1/4 in. (54 cm) W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm) D. 1 3/16 in. (3 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Woven
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1915
Accession Number: 15.125.7
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

 


This fragment depicts a rare small-scale version of the design known as çintemani, which finds its etymology in Sanskrit ("auspicious jewel") and usually features three circles or closed crescent forms representing pearls. Also associated with the patterning on animal skins, the circular elements are alternately referenced as leopard spots, and often accompanied by wavy lines representing tiger stripes. In this fine example of seraser, the gold ground of the cloth is accomplished by weft threads comprised of thin strips of silver foil wrapped around a yellow silk core, giving the surface of the cloth its luster.