Karabagh Floral Carpet Fragment James Mark Keshishian

JBOC attribution Caucasian Rugs - Karabagh rug - Northern Nagorno Karabakh - Chelaberti?

The Keshishian Karabagh Floral Carpet Fragment

Reprinted with Permission from Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear by James Mark Keshishian, Page 186

A-172 Karabagh Floral Carpet, Shusha, Caucasian, eighteenth century

Wool; Fragment - 2'8 " x 7'1"

This fragment came from a "gallery rug", which was typically in the 7.6 x 18 size. The center medallion is pure sunburst as in the Chelapert or known in the trade as the Eagle Kazak. This rug is very similar to plate 52, in Yetkin's Early Caucasian Carpets in Turkey . This came from the left side of the central part of the carpet.

The border is almost identical to my other contemporaneous fragment

A- 179. Also see plate 2 1, Early Caucasian Carpets, by C.G. Ellis; pp. 73.

The condition of this rug fragment is very low all over. There are reweaves, and pulled together places. The three sides are bound with cotton tape.

- Previously unpublished -

Compare to the rugs in the Guide To Chelaberd Kazak Rugs. This is a particularly old version of the Chelaberd medallion.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Warp: wool, 2 strands, Z-spun, S-plied, brown and ivory.

Weft: wool, 2 strands, Z-spun, S-plied, light and dark with red traces.

Pile: wool, 2 strands, Z-spun, S plied.

Knot: symmetrical, h. 8, v. 9, 81/square inch.

Edges: Remains of wool selvage. Weft returns around a double warp into the pile.

Ends: cut and taped.

Colors: (12) ivory, 3 shades blue, black, brown, tan, 2 shades red, gold, purple, green, several shades of each color.

Note: To further a long term research project I am collecting data. When a piece such as this may be of interest to others I have decided to share my notes prior to culmination of the project. As such the attributions are my own unless otherwise stated. Any additions, information, or corrections, would be appreciated.

For Further Reading:

Persian Rugs and Carpet

Turkish Rugs

Turkmen Rugs

JBOC's Notes on the Bible

wwwPersianCarpetGuide.com

Caucasian Rugs

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.