Antique Perepedil Rug

Period: Late 19th Century
Origin: East Caucasus, Kuba Region Perepedil Rug
Dimensions: 140 x 200 cm

This rare late 19th century East Caucasian Perepedil rug from the Kuba region highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a saturated midnight indigo field populated by a vertical sequence of iconic “Ram’s Horn” (wu-wu) motifs and stylized botanical sprigs. This structural balance between the deep luminous ground and the architectural repetition of these ancient tribal symbols reflects the pinnacle of the Perepedil weaving tradition. Rugs of this antiquity are world-renowned for their complex “Bird” and floral derivatives which maintain a crisp graphic clarity despite the dense ornamentation.

The color palette is masterfully balanced featuring a primary midnight indigo field that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of madder red ivory and forest green. These rich and enduring tones achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 130 years ago exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest late 19th-century Northeast Caucasian productions. The inclusion of a formal Kufic-inspired primary border—characterized by a rhythmic sequence of interlocking geometric “C” forms and floral rosettes—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and 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 “wu-wu” horns and the precisely executed star-patterned guard borders definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece as an authentic late 19th-century Perepedil. Ultimately this rug stands as a premier example of Caucasian textile art representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

RIPPON BOSWELL, A 97, Zaleski Collection, 30/11/2019, lot 149

Stock No : 1532

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