Kuba Rugs: Antique Zeihur Cabbage Rug from Jim Allen

NAME: Antique Zeihur Rug
AGE: circa 1850-1875
PRICE: Price on Request
Here is a very fine and small Zeihur or Seychour rug from the Northeast Caucasus measuring 3ft. X 3ft. 3in. (0.90 by 0.98m.) I date this piece to circa 1875. It has most of its original macramé end finishes, oxidized browns, and it is in excellent condition. A very similar though slightly larger rug sold at Sotheby’s, Sale N07773 lot 47, for 25,000 usd. Cut and paste this link to see Sotheby's rug. http://www.spongobongo.com/0her9790.htm
My rug is the same width as Sotheby’s rug but one foot shorter. This is a very rare rug in the most desirable size to collect. Small Zeihur rugs like this one were dowry pieces. The green field with cabbages evokes images of the fecund earth and is a fitting image for a young bride basically promising children and a good garden. The statement made by such a rug is simple and direct: I can collect, card, spin, dye and weave, I can garden, and I can bear children. In many ways weavings such as this are the most obvious, certain, and personal dowry weavings in the entire Caucasus. © 1998-2007 James Allen.