Karatchoph Kazak (605)

Karatchoph Kazak rug from southwest Caucasus,Armenia

Age: circa 1820

Size: 7′.9″x5′.0″ (236×152 cm)

This rare southwest Caucasian rug is unusual for its relatively unusual format,the ivory border and the beautiful green field.The octagonal ivory medallion is embedded in a larger square with dotted corners.In the center of the medallion is a red Memling Gul vertically flanked by nested boxes,and there are four additional hooked elements in the medallion.There are further small geometric fillers in the field and the medallion.There are four ivory star filled boxes in the corners and additionally there are six red rectangles enclosing the hooked elements,and a tertiary scatter fill of boxes,hooked devices,diamonds and S’s.The ivory main border features stepped leaves alternating with open rectangles composed of four radiating stylized flowers.The flanking minor borders in red and blue show reciprocal wave pattern.There are three barber pole lines and a fourth surrounds the central square.At the top is a plainweave band followed by a warp macrame strip,while at the bottom is a red plainweave.All the colors are from natural sources.The piece is in good condition.