Antique Shirvan Lezgi Rug

Period: Mid 19th Century
Origin: Shirvan
Dimensions: 100 x 134 cm

This rare middle of the 19th century Caucasian Shirvan Lezgi rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a vertical sequence of three monumental “Lezgi stars” anchored within a vibrant madder red and midnight indigo field. This structural balance between the large-scale, eight-pointed star medallions and the secondary zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures—including stylized human forms and protective animal motifs—reflects the pinnacle of the East Caucasian tribal weaving tradition. Rugs of this antiquity are world-renowned for their graphic strength and the preservation of archaic tribal symbols, which translate the identity of the Lezgi people into a bold, architectural aesthetic.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary field of alternating red and indigo sections that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of ivory, sky blue, and golden saffron. 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 complex, multi-layered border system—anchored by a primary border of rhythmic diagonal stripes (the “barber pole” motif) and a secondary border of geometric rosettes—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and distinctive technical finesse of the Shirvan 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 internal geometric hooks within each star and the precisely executed guard borders—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash throughout the indigo and red sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this Shirvan Lezgi rug stands as a premier example of Caucasian tribal art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1266

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