Oct 17 2006
Why Caucasian Rugs Pre 1920 Are More Desirable
Written by Joan Guryan
Tuesday, 17 October 2006
Antique Caucasian carpets, pre 1920, are rare but greatly desired because of their simplicity in design. This was before the area came under Russia, and it’s rug weaving craft was truer to its culture.
Because these areas were influenced by nomadic tribes, it is harder to determine the exact origin by design. The structure and materials use are a more reliable tool in identification. Generally the warp and weft from natural wool, and a Turkish knot is used.
Carpets using a thicker wool usually came from the more rural mountainous areal, while we can look toward Shirvan, or Kuba for a finer wool. In area populated by both Christians and Muslims, it is easy to distinguish the weaver by religion. Muslims, as it is forbidden by the Koran would have no animals depicted in their carpets; they leaned more toward producing prayer rugs. the Christian weaver did not have these restrictions.
Generally Caucasian rugs are geometric in design. However the closer we move toward the Persian border, the more likely the shapes are to be rounded.
Though many fine Caucasians have been produced after 1920, if you are really attracted to the Caucasian Antique rug, look for the earlier ones.
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