Antique Yellow Kuba Shirvan Rug

Period: Mid 19th Century
Origin: Caucasus
Dimensions: 100 x 170 cm

This rare mid 19th century Caucasian Kuba Shirvan rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a vibrant lemon yellow field populated by a vertical lattice of multi colored, interconnected cruciform and serrated “leaf” motifs. This structural balance between the luminous, high contrast field and the complex, multi layered border system reflects the pinnacle of the East Caucasian weaving tradition from the Shirvan district. Yellow ground rugs of this antiquity are world renowned for their rarity and graphic vitality, often utilizing a sophisticated “Harshang” or crab lattice derivative that has been distilled into a purely tribal, geometric language.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary lemon yellow ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of sapphire blue, madder red, and forest green. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 160 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest 19th century Kuba productions. The inclusion of a wide, sapphire blue primary border—decorated with a rhythmic sequence of geometric “Kufic” or “Bird” motifs—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and the distinctive technical finesse of the weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand spun local wool with a characteristically fine, clipped pile and a firm, resilient handle. The exceptional clarity of the angular outlines—specifically the minute geometric details within the yellow field and the precisely executed reciprocating guard borders—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash throughout the blue and red sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this yellow ground Shirvan rug stands as a premier example of Caucasian art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1263

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