Antique Caucasian Horse Cover

Period: Mid 19th Century
Origin: Caucasian
Dimensions: 132 x 150 cm

This rare middle of the 19th century Caucasian horse cover (Khorjin) highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a vibrant madder red central field punctuated by bold, indigo blue serrated “shark-tooth” medallions. This structural balance between the saturated primary field and the expansive, reciprocating blue spandrels reflects the pinnacle of the Caucasian nomadic weaving tradition, where utilitarian animal trappings were elevated to high tribal art. Caucasian textiles of this antiquity are world-renowned for their graphic modernism and the preservation of archaic symbolic boundaries, using high-contrast geometric tension to create a monumental visual impact.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary madder red ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of midnight indigo, ivory, and soft sky blue. 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 19th-century tribal productions. The inclusion of complex horizontal bands at the base—populated by a rhythmic sequence of stylized zoomorphic figures, including birds and four-legged animals—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and the distinctive technical finesse of the nomadic weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun local wool with a characteristically resilient, low-profile flat weave and a substantial handle. The exceptional clarity of the angular outlines—specifically the sharp, uniform points of the reciprocating “shark-tooth” motifs and the precisely rendered tribal talismans—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash throughout the red and blue sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this Caucasian horse cover stands as a premier example of nomadic tribal art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1740

Size : 132×150 cm