Lot 16

A KARABAGH RUG
CAUCASUS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

The ivory field scattered with small flowerheads, boteh and hooked rosette panels around a central shaded grass-green gabled rectangular panel containing similar and anthropomorphic motifs flanking a central concentric red, indigo and ivory octagonal panel with feathery arrowhead pendants, a gabled concentric blue and red octagonal medallion with similar pendants above and below, the brick-red spandrels with simple chequered motifs, in a shaded dusty pink border of polychrome stepped lozenges between zig-zag and minor mill-pattern stripes, inner chequered stripe, even wear, minute repiling and repair, both guard stripes rewoven.
7ft.x4ft.6in. (224cm.x137cm.)

This rug is one of a very small and clearly defined group with similar medallions on a white ground. Two very similar examples have been published in Germany (Volkmann Martin: Alt Orientallische Teppiche: Ausgewahlte Stucke deutscher Privatsammlungen, Munich, 1985, No.57, pp. 146-7; and Hermann, E.: Seltene Orientteppiche VII, Munich, 1985, pp. 74-5). Three of the group are prayer rugs (Denny, Walter B. and Walker, D. (intro. by): The Markarian Album, Cincinatti, 1988, pl.39; Wechsler's, Washington D.C., 16 October 1993, lot 24 (noted in HALI 72, 12, December 1993/January 1994, p.125); and Sotheby's New York, 18 May 1985, lot 35). Two further examples have two medallions (Sotheby's New York, 1 April 1992, lot 51; and Sotheby's London, 15 October 1980, lot 149, re- offered l2 January 1983, lot 151). While the Herrmann piece has a date which is illegible, that in the Markarian Collection is very clearly dated AH 1273 (1856-l AD), while that sold in Washington bears a date of AH 1275 (1858-9 AD), confirming the proposed dating on the present rug.

Est.: £4,000-6,000, US$6,600-9,900

Sold for £4,600

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