Antique Kuba Shirvan Fragment

Period: Mid 19th century
Origin: Kuba-Shirvan, Caucaus
Dimensions: 105 x 125 cm

This rare mid 19th century Caucasian Kuba Shirvan rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring an all-over offset lattice of multi-colored serrated diamond medallions rendered in vibrant primary tones. This structural balance between the luminous madder red ground and the dense, interlocking diamond motifs reflects the pinnacle of the East Caucasian village weaving tradition. Kuba Shirvan rugs of this antiquity are world-renowned for their sophisticated technical execution and their ability to maintain a sense of ordered elegance within complex, high-contrast tribal designs.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary red field that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of midnight indigo, ivory, and golden yellow. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 170 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest mid 19th-century Caucasian productions. The inclusion of a wide ivory primary border decorated with a rhythmic sequence of colorful geometric rosettes and stylized cruciform motifs creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and distinctive technical finesse of the village weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun local wool with a characteristically fine, even pile and a resilient handle. The exceptional clarity of the angular outlines—specifically the small botanical and geometric fillers within the diamonds—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash within the red and blue sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this Kuba 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 : 1318

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