Shirvan rug (653)

Shirvan prayer rug from eastern Caucasus,west coast of the Caspian Sea

Age: dated 1324=1906

Size: 5′.7″x4′.6″ (170×137 cm)

This square ivory ground prayer rug hosts a navy hexagonal lattice pattern whose reserves display variations of upright stylized flowers in various colors.The ivory spandrels show larger inverted flowers and secondary knot rosettes,accented with an attractive unusual aubergine color.Immediately filling the niche is a large,layered pentagonal motif.The niche arch is decorated with colorful stripes and chevrons.The piece is dated twice 1324.There are pendants,diamonds,triangles,rosettes scattered about.The red main border shows a characteristic Shirvan barred S pattern and is flanked by dark blue ground minor borders with stars and 7’s.In addition there is a blue and aubergine keyhole reciprocal band surrounding the field and there are four barber pole narrow lines in the border system.One barber pole changes color on three sides.At each end is a beige flatweave with intact warp loops at the bottom end.All the colors are from natural sources.The weave is fine and the condition is good with minor black repiling along the sides.