Shirvan rug (279)

Shirvan prayer rug from eastern Caucasus

Age: circa 1875

Measurements: 4′.10″x3′.8″ (147×112 cm)

The attractively abrashed sapphire blue field displays a diamond lattice enclosing palmettes,stylized flowers,shieldlike devices,tiny combs,and other delicately drawn abstract elements.The spandrels continue the field design and contain two illegible dates.The floating ivory mihrab arch is patterned with colorful crosses and a parallelogram mosaic.The ivory main border has a classic formalized “S” motif in a wide variety of colors.The inner and outer guard borders both show a reciprocal keyhole pattern in red,dark blue,blue green and apple green.There are four colorful quincunx narrow borders framing the wider bands.The colors are vibrant including the original camel color.The condition is very good.