Karagashli Rugs

Caucasian Kuba Karagashli Rugs & Carpets

Karagashli is a village in North East Azerbaijan in the area that was the Persian Khanate of Kuba. Karagashli are a slightly finer than average Kuba with an average knot count 135 – 145 knots per square inch.

There is also a group of rugs that appears very similar to Karagashli rugs but structurally fall into the Shirvan group.

Examples: 

Karagashli rug
A Karagashli Rug rug, Northeast Caucasus, circa 1890, oxidized browns, partial end guard borders, small reweave, minor fold wear, small hole, approximately 9ft. 2in. by 4ft. 5in. (2.79 by 1.35m.)



This one has the L shaped flowers that we see in Karagashlis.


The Victoria & Albert Karagashli Prayer Rug

The Victoria & Albert Karagashli Prayer Rug

Karagashli prayer rugs are very rare. In the 2,045 Caucasian prayer rugs in Ralph Kaffel’s data base only 5 were Karagashli. One interesting point is that the rug has some wear and restoration indicating it was not new when purchased.

Warp: brown and white wool; z3s, 2 brown threads and one white. 14 threads per inch.

Weft: white cotton z4s, 2 shoots, average 11 knots per inch.

Knot: wool symmetrical, average 154 KPSI.

Ends: lower incomplete 1/2 in plainweave with white cotton weft. Evidence of a fringe with bands of off-set knotting.

Upper: incomplete 1 in plainweave with white cotton followed by a narrow band blue wool weft, evidence of a fringe with off-set knotting. Some restoration.


Inverted Arch Karagashli Rug

Inverted Arch Karagashli Rug

East Caucasus. 19th c. 144 x 94cm.

Interesting design, yellow ground wedge hooks border.


Armenian Erivan Rug Karagashli Derivative

Armenian Erivan Rug Karagashli Derivative


Erivan rug, Armenia South Caucasus, early 20th century

Erivan rug, Armenia South Caucasus, early 20th century

5ft.3in. x 3ft.2in./1.60m. x 0.97m.

The stepped arch seen in this rug is a design most commonly seen in Karagashli Rugs


Karagashli Rug, circa 1890

Karagashli Rug rug, circa 1890

Northeast Caucasus, circa 1890. Oxidized browns, partial end guard borders, small reweave, minor fold wear, small hole. Approximately 9ft. 2in. by 4ft. 5in. (2.79 by 1.35m.).


A Karagashli Rug, Northeast Caucasus

A Karagashli Rug, Northeast Caucasus

Dated 1329 (1911).

Approximately 7 ft. 3 in. by 4 ft. 2 in. (2.21 m. by 1.27 m.)

Warp: Wool, Z5S, ivory

Weft: Cotton (Z1) Z2S, 2 shoots, white

Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot

Density: 9 horizontal, 15-16 vertical

Sides: Cotton, 2 cords of 2 warps each, overcast blue

Ends: 1 in. blue cotton kilim then 1 in. multi-knotted long-cabled fringe tied at bottom

Colors: Indigo, ivory, cranberry, tumeric, caramel, pale to deep hunter green, Copenhagen blue, black cherry, seal brown, moss, fuschia


The Alberto Levi Karagashli Rug

The Alberto Levi Karagashli Rug

Kuba area, Northeast Caucasus

Circa 1830

Cm 94 x 147 (3’1″ x 4’10”)

Symmetrical knot on a wool foundation

Among the rarest types of east Caucasian rugs are certainly the Karagashlis, which are characterised by a particularly fine weave, silky wool, luminous colors and by an ever-present border system. The directional pattern is composed of an infinite repeat of small shield palmettes on a rare golden-yellow ground. The zoomorphic origin of this motif is fairly understood. It can be connected to that on eighteenth century Caucasian shield carpets, which in turn refer to the pre-islamic motif of the tree flanked by a pair of birds. The outstanding palette and the strong archaic feeling of the design allows us to date it to the first half of the nineteenth century, that is to a period anteceding the marketing of Caucasian rugs in the West.


Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug

Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug

3 foot 2 inches by 4 foot 2 inch.

This is an Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug in excellent condition. This is a very pretty rug with a bold powerful design. Pile is low but even and the color is beautiful.

The pattern we see here is closely associated with Karagashli Kuba rugs. It is a degenerative form of the Afshan pattern.

Structure: Symmetrical. 7 knots per horizontal inch and 11 knots per vertical inch. 77 per square inch (1194 per square decimeter). Depressed.

Yarn Spin: Z

Warp: ivory wool

Weft: 2 shots ivory wool

Pile: 2 Wool singles

Ends: Warp fring

Selvages: 1 cord red wool

Further Notes: The rug has historical restoration, and the repair is from very good to excellent. This rug has wonderful color. The combination of blossom floral forms with the lanceolet leaves makes a powerful combination.


Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug

Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug

3 foot 4 inches by 4 foot 6 inch.

This is an Antique Karagashli Kuba Rug in excellent condition. This is a very pretty rug with a bold powerful design.

Caucasian rug, 19th Century.

Structure: Symmetrical. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 9 knots per vertical inch. 72 per square inch (1116 per square decimeter). Depressed.

Yarn Spin: Z

Warp: ivory wool

Weft: 2 shots ivory wool

Pile: 2 Wool singles

Ends: 1/4-inch weft faced plainweave skirt with warp fringe

Selvages: 1 cord red wool

Further Notes: The rug has been fully restored and the repair is from very good to excellent.


A Karagashli Rug, circa 1880

A Karagashli Rug, circa 1880

Approximately 4ft. 7in. by 3ft. 1in. (1.40 by 0.94m.).

Notes: circa 1880 partially oxidized charcoals, minor partial ends, partially reselvaged.


A Karagashli Rug rug, circa 1890

A Karagashli Rug rug, circa 1890

Northeast Caucasus, circa 1890. Oxidized browns, partial end guard borders, small reweave, minor fold wear, small hole.

Approximately 9ft. 2in. by 4ft. 5in. (2.79 by 1.35m.)


Antique Karaghosli Rug

Antique Karaghosli Rug

This is a very old antique rug from the Hamadan region that can be speculatively attributed to the Karaghosli. It is more likely that these Karaghosli rugs are woven by weavers who moved south in response to the Russian occupation of the caucasus in the 19th century.

The color is very special. The orange appears to be the pre-synthetic burnt orange that is seen in very old rugs. The purple is the eggplant color seen in very old rugs. The pattern is old and this rug probably is too. This rug is so nice it transcends the ravages of time.

The rug has great color, dignity, and life left in it. It is very usable in a lower traffic area and will blend well with antiques.

19th century. 3 feet 4 inches by 5 foot 6 inches. (Not including fringe)

Structure: Symmetrical knot. 6 knots per horizontal inch and 10 knots per vertical inch. 60 per square inch (930 per square decimeter)

Yarn Spin: Z

Warp: White Cotton

Weft: Cotton 1 shot. gray

Pile: 2 Wool singles

Ends: 1/2 inch plain weave skirt with warp fringe

Selvages: Overcast with red wool

Further Notes: Average condition. Down to the knot collars with minor areas of cosmetic weft enhancement. Extensive repairs.