Caucasian Shirvan Antique Oriental Rugs
Overview
Shirvan rugs are tribal rugs that were made by the indigenous peoples that resided in the Southern Caucasus in an area that is now the eastern and northeastern area of present day Azerbaijan including the city of Shirvan (population 80,000).
A large antique tribal Caucasian Shirvan
hand-woven carpet - currently being offered for purchase by Nejad Rugs.
The Antique Shirvan Rug
Similar to the rugs produced in the northeast Azerbaijan area of Kuba and Shemakha, Shirvan carpets display a variety of designs and patterns that include floral and geometric motifs consisting of lozenges, stars, crosses and small animals as well as hexagonal latticework and feature octagon-shaped and cruciform medallions. The predominant colors used in these rugs are blues, reds and browns in the field with accents of golden yellow and ivory. The weavers employed a Turkish knot with 60 - 160 KPSI.
A SHIRVAN LONG RUG, EAST CAUCASUS - Circa 1860
Approx 9 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft. 7 in. (284 by 110cm)
A Passion for Collecting: The Rugs and Carpets of a Connoisseur [Sotheby's]
The Rug-Producing Region of Azerbaijan
Shirvan is a historically-significant, industrially and agriculturally-developed region in the eastern Caucasus stretching between the western shores of the Caspian Sea and the Kura River and is centered on a low flood-prone plain (Shirvan Plain).
The term Shirvani - or Shirvanli - is still used, as it was historically, in Azerbaijan, to designate the people of the Shirvan region. Before Iranization, and later Turkification, the bulk of the population of the Shirvan area were Caucasian speaking groups. Although smaller Caucasian and Iranian speaking minorities remain, the bulk of the population today are Turkic-speaking Azerbaijanis (Azeri).
The above
composite chart illustrates some of the ethno-linguistic groups of the Caucasus.
Consumer Notes
Though consisting mostly of basic primitive geometric forms Shirvan rugs display an impressive symmetry and balance, and for being categorized as "tribal rugs" some of these rugs are quite sophisticated, making them highly valued collectible pieces.
A Shirvan Marasali Carpet, East Caucasus, circa 1800
- approx. 8 ft. 2 in. by 7 ft. 7 in. (2.49 by 2.31m.)
Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 USD
| LOT SOLD $25,000 USD [Sotheby's]
Nejad is offering this classic handwoven Antique Caucausian Shirvan Carpet #90215 - circa 1880
- 2 ft. 8 in. by 3 ft. 3 in.
Currently Nejad is offering the following antique Shirvan carpets for sale: #90215 Shirvan | #987432 Shirvan
Nejad
Rugs is a designer, manufacturer and importer of fine Oriental carpets
and is a member
Of the Oriental Rug Importers Association.
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