Azerbaijan silk embroidery, XVIII century, Late Safavid or Khanate Period. Private collection (Thomas Caruso)

Azerbaijan silk embroidery, XVIII century, Late Safavid or Khanate Period. Private collection (Thomas Caruso). Size: 14"x14" (35x35cm)

This petite 18th-century Azerbaijani silk embroidery, probably from the Late Safavid or early Khanate period, exemplifies the refined synthesis of Safavid court aesthetics with regional Caucasian textile traditions. Executed in vividly dyed silk threads on a shimmering ground, the composition is dominated by a dynamic array of diagonal tulip motifs, each rendered in a stylized form with angular side petals and a tripartite crown. These motifs are meticulously aligned to create a rhythmic lattice that pulses with movement and color. Interspersed throughout the field are dark blue cartouches, their bold, geometric profiles and contrasting yellow centers anchoring the composition with visual gravity. The interplay between floral vitality and architectural form is further enhanced by a simple border of alternating chevrons and baklava motifs, echoing the internal dynamism while framing the textile in a continuous, protective rhythm. Both ornamental and symbolic, this embroidery reflects the opulent material culture of the Caucasus in an era marked by political transition and artistic continuity.