Lesghi rug (607)

Lesghi rug from Kuba district,eastern Caucasus,west coast of the Caspian Sea

Age: dated 1267=1851

Size: 5′.2″x3′.8″ (157×112 cm)

This innovative eastern Caucasian scatter shows a royal blue field densely covered with tiny lazy S’s,diamonds,lozenges,hooked diamonds,humanoid figures,rosettes and other smaller elements.The three Lesghi stars in ivory,red,navy,green and royal blue are patterned with more lazy S’s,have dotted outlines and unusual interior crosses.The ivory main border hosts the classic interlocking pattern.The outermost minor royal blue border displays stars in various colors with dots,while the inner minor border features polychrome rosettes.Also in the border system are:a narrow quincunx pattern stripe;a field edging of small yellow hooks;several solid and narrow barber pole lines.Unusually there are four date panels,of which two are in the field and two in the main border.The piece displays well saturated natural colors including a camel hair.At each end is a soumak finishing followed by a knotted warp net.The rug is in good condition.