Antique Shirvan Rug

Period: Mid 19th Century
Origin: Shirvan, Caucasus
Dimensions: 97 x 147 cm

This rare mid 19th century Caucasian Shirvan rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring an all over lattice of stylized floral and cruciform motifs rendered in vibrant primary tones. This structural balance between the deep midnight blue field and the monumental red border—decorated with large white ground geometric cartouches—reflects the pinnacle of the East Caucasian weaving tradition. Shirvan rugs of this period are world renowned for their sophisticated use of color and their ability to maintain a sense of ordered elegance within complex tribal designs.

The color palette is masterfully balanced featuring a primary midnight blue ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of madder red, ivory, and golden yellow. These rich and enduring tones achieved through the expert application of natural dyes exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest mid 19th century productions. The inclusion of a wide madder red primary border decorated with alternating geometric medallions 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—including the presence of tiny stylized zoomorphic figures at the bottom of the field—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash within the blue and red sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately this 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 : 2218

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