JBOC's Notes on Oriental Rugs

Armenian Rugs: Inscribed 1903 Armenian "Akstafa" Carpet
Tufenkian Carpets Area Rug Sale.
Armenian Rugs: Inscribed 1903 Armenian "Akstafa" Carpet Oriental Rugs: Inscribed Armenian Carpet: This rug is the product of an Armenian weaver in Karabagh in 1903. I say that because the rug is what we would call Karabagh. The date is obvious because the rug bears that date. The Armenian attribution is due to the date written as 1903. Eiland in Weavers, Merchants and Kings, Inscribed Rugs from Armenia makes a convincing argument for an Armenian Attribution for this type of rug. James "Uncle Jimmy" M. Keshishian concurs in his book Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear. Of course Max and I took this rug down to Uncle Jimmy and he called this "definitely Armenian" and he compared it to plate A-169 in his Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear.
Direct Scan

Inscribed Armenian Carpet

This rug is the product of an Armenian weaver in Karabagh in 1903. I say that because the rug is what we would call Karabagh. The date is obvious because the rug bears that date. The Armenian attribution is due to the date written as 1903. Eiland in Weavers, Merchants and Kings, Inscribed Rugs from Armenia makes a convincing argument for an Armenian Attribution for this type of rug. James "Uncle Jimmy" M. Keshishian concurs in his book Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear. Of course Max and I took this rug down to Uncle Jimmy and he called this "definitely Armenian" and he compared it to plate A-169 in his Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear.

How We Select Our Rugs





 Armenian Rug Akstafa Variant. Karabagh, 1903. 4 foot 7 inch by 7 foot.

Structure: Symmetrical knot. 6.5 knots per horizontal inch and 6.5 knots per vertical inch. 42 per square inch (651 per square decimeter).

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 3 ply wool, white.

Weft: 2 ply wool, red.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Reduced each end, warp fringe.

Selvages: Originally 3 cord selvage wrapped in red wool, repaired in places.

Further Notes: 96 year old rug that has vast collectable and ethnographic significance. Worn, old repairs do not even consider this rug for floor use.
Armenian Rug Akstafa Variant
Color is off in this picture and I cut off the upper left edge. Use this for pattern and see the scan above for the colors.

For Further Reading:

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Index to JBOC's Rug Notes

 How Do I Find An Honest Rug Dealer?

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z