Shirvan Gabistan Pattern Rug

Age : first quarter 20th century

Dimension : 164 cm X 108 cm ; 5,4 ft X 3,5 ft

Knots : symmetric, short clipped pile

Density: H 30/10cm V36/10cm 1080/dm²; H 7-8/pi V 9/pi 67-68/psi

Warps: white wool, Z2S, no depression, flat back, slightly rigid.

Wefts: mostly white cotton 2 shoots; at some places white cotton + tan wool, 3 shoots.

Selvage: flat selvage, 2 cords of 2 warps, overcast with white cotton in figure eight

Colors: natural, white, light beige, light green, brick red, medium and dark marine blue, dark brown. Blue abrash in the field.

Comments : this rug and in particular the rendering of the four squares and the two internal borders is closely related to rugs described by Bennett – Caucasian - at plate 269 – 270 – 271 and by Wright & Wertime – Caucasian carpets & covers – plate 30 page 82.

Following Wright & Wertime : " this design is distinctive of Maraza village … the place name was probably derived from the nomadic group whose principal encapment was in the vicinity… This design, also the source of many prayer rugs, features recognisable thrones and what appear to be gates, in a composition called Gabistan …"

As I haven't seen this kind of borders in other type of rugs I ask myself if they wouldn't also be characteristic of this production. The throne motif usually found in this type of rugs is here replaced by hexagons with rams horns like motifs, these late are also found in Bennett -picture 270 at the top of the thrones. This rug looks older and more tribal than the rugs presented by Bennett which seems to be workshop pieces.

Courtesy of Daniel DSD

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.

Persian Rugs the O'Connell Guides