Kuba Rugs: Shusha Garga or Kuba Bird Rug

JBOC attribution Oriental Rug > Caucasian Rugs > Kuba Rugs

Shusha Garga or Kuba Bird Rug

Age: second half 19th century

Dimension : 167 X 76 ; 5,5 ft. x 2,5 ft.

Knots : symmetric, pulled slightly to the right

Density: tightly woven, H 36/10cm V36/10cm 1296/dm² ; H 9/pi V 9/pi 81/psi.

Warps: tightly spun tan wool Z2S, warp depression around 45° and ribbed back

Wefts: two shoots tan - beige wool

Selvages: not original

Colors: natural, different shade of blue from light to dark blue, pink, white, medium brown, gold, madder red, olive, dark green

Comments:

Very nice rug reminiscent of a long rug discussed and published in black and white by Bennet, Caucasian plate 390 with the same type of birds surrounding diamond like medallions and the same rendering in the four spandrels. The outer minor border is very common in Kuba rugs. To notice also the very well drawn tendril inner border and barber pole main border.

Courtesy of Daniel DSD

Shusha Garga Rug?

Daniel attributes this rug to Kuba and that is certainly plausabile. If one reads the Bennet attribution he seems a bit tenuous in Oriental Rugs Volume 1 Caucasian. One must assume he is at least drawing partially on Eder. Then there is the carnation border which is an Azeri border found in Kuba, Shirvan, and Moghan. So Kuba a is certainly plausabile. however the Raven patten is traditional to Shusha and with the possible aexception of the carnation guard border I do no see anything that rules out Shusha. So untill I see a good reason to go with one or the other I will call this a Shusha Garga or Kuba Bird Rug. JBOC

The Borders:

As I reflect I have to consider all the borders. The inner guard border is one most commonly seen on Taimani rugs from Afghanistan but it is seen in Chajli rugs from the Moghan area from the Caucasus. So for convienience I will call that a Chajli S border. The main border is also extremely unusual and the only thing I can compare it to is the Lesghi bar border seen in Oriental Rugs Volume 1 Caucasian plate 328. The outer guard border is a carnation border that is common among Azeri weavers. JBOC

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:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

JBOC's Notes on the Bible

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Persian Rugs the O'Connell Guides

Tabriz Rugs

Tabriz-Rugs

Tabriz-Rugs & Carpets

Kashmar Rugs