500. an outstanding antique Surahani or Kazak Caucasian rug

500. Provenance: Surahani village, Northeast of Baku, Shirvan, or Sewan Kazak (?), Azerbaijan , The Caucasus

Size: 260 x 137 approx cm

Age: Circa 1890 to 1900

Condition: Pretty good for its age, with some areas of lower pile & wear, and damage to the side selveges (repaired).

Notes: A typical and beautiful Surahani design with a single long medallion with an alternate octagon and rectangular outline. This medallion is of a saffron/indigo mix green, and is surrounded by a vivid natural madder red field containing idiosyncratically placed stars and diamond motifs. The design is considered to be a highly stylized rendering of the Safavid garden composition, which is also found on later Persian village and tribal rugs. The white border frame contains a highly stylized rendition of a leaf & flower meander, while the inner border of running diamonds is of a really beautiful bright indigo. It is by no means certain that this rug is from Surahani however, as many aurthors suggest a more westerly origin, particularly to the Sewan Kazaks. The colour scheme of this piece is certainly very reminiscent of Kazaks. Whichever, this is a beautiful and highly collectable piece.