Caucasian Kazak Prayer Rug

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Caucasian Kazak Prayer Rug

reference:  
7219

dimensions:  
154 x 104 cm

Description

This Caucasian Kazak prayer rug dates to the early 20th century. It is indistinctly dated in the top of the rug, with the figures woven upside down, which is often indicative of a weaver copying a random date from memory without this being an actual date.

Two horizontally elongated medallions flank a central diamond on a strongly abrashed green ground. They are arranged along a vertical axis in the middle of the rug.  Numerous little flower heads and, occasionally, stars populate the field on a madder red ground. The two minor borders, the inner one on a brown, the other one on a dark blue ground, are decorated with the same type of flower heads used in the field. They flank the slightly wider main border on a white ground which contains alternate stars and hooked motifs possibly derived from facing animal heads on the sides. The main  border at the top and bottom ends of the field is made up of a chain of angular geometrical patterns.

The mihrab at the top is accentuated by a double repetition and therefore enlargement of the innermost shape, the latter also containing the indistinct date. A hooked diagonal motif in indigo blue decorates each of the four corners of the field.

A prayer rug with a similar field design, also on a red ground and with a green central motif,  is published in Ralph Kaffel, Caucasian Prayer Rugs. Laurence King in association with Hali Publications Limited, London, 1998, Plate 23, p. 66.

The rug is in good pile and of pleasing proportions and colours.

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