Object Description
19th Century Shirvan Rug
1.67 x 1.24 m
Antique Shirvan rugs are among the most highly sought-after Caucasian weavings, renowned for a nuanced, complex style that sets them apart from other rugs from the region. These pieces are extraordinarily finely woven, showcasing richly detailed motifs, borrowed from ancient tribal symbols, with an expressive, playful character and bold natural dyed colours.
This 19th Century example boasts a dynamic, all-over layout, with a muted indigo ground serving as a charming backdrop to the wide array of vegetable-dyed colours in the design, including tones of sage green, burnt umber and terracotta. Being an earlier work, this rug was likely originally made for domestic, rather than commercial, purposes, and so showcases a much more creative composition than later pieces from the region, with the pattern in the central field and its several surrounding borders repeated in an expressive variety of colours and shapes, with a tight weave lending a crisp clarity to the design.
Retained in very good practical condition for everyday use, its vegetable-dyed colours have taken on a charming patina with age.
A fine and unique tribal accent rug, with a strikingly modern feel.