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The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug

JBOC Attribution: Oriental Rugs > Caucasian Rugs > Kazak Rugs > Star Kazak Rugs > Type B

The Nickle Arts Museum has distributed an image of this rug with the caption:

Caucasian Class D Star Kazak
205 x 119
Possibly the finest example in existence

With one small exception I agree. One may say, " Possibly the finest example in existence," as long as they amend the first part to read Caucasian Type B Star Kazak.

In 1980 Hali, Vol. 3, No 1 Michael Frances and Robert Pinner published Star-Kasaks/Sternkasaks. This was a detailed look at the known Star Kazaks at that time. The most enduring part of the article are the four groups into which Pinner and Frances divided the rugs. The Hali Star Kazak groups types A, B, C, and D continue to hold up well to this day. I shall explore this rug in reference to the classifications set up in Hali by Pinner and Frances. I purpose to show that this is a Type B rather than a Type or Class D Star Kazak.

This is a splendid example of a Type B Star Kazak and very possibly the Nickle Museum was correct when they wrote. "Possibly the finest example in existence".

This is a classic Type B star. Compare to Hali Star Kazak #5 and #6. See Star Kazak Stars

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This is a typical arrow that Type B and C Star Kazaks exhibit. See Star Kazak Arrows

Star Kazak Octagon See Star Kazak Octagon Ornaments

Along with border size one of the key indicators in the Pinner and Frances Star Kazak paradigm are the Star Kazak Octagon ornaments. These examples closely match the Type B examples in Hali.

Details of Star Kazak Octagon Ornaments

This divider, the bar between the two squares, is seen in Type B Star Kazaks and may be seen in Type C or D but not in Type A. See Star Kazak Dividers

In the Hali article the Star Kazaks borders fall into two groups. Type A and B have narrow borders. Type C and D have wide borders. This Star Kazak clearly falls into the narrow border group. The three borders are usually seen as guard borders. The inner and outer guard borders are often seen in Type B Star Kazaks. The main border of diamonds is most often seen as a guard border in Type C Star Kazak. Compare the border here to Hali Star Kazaks 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13. For related inner and outer guard borders see The Lefevre 1983 Star Kazak Rug. See Star Kazak Borders

Note in the detail below that on the sides the diamond are separated by a thin black line. This feature is not seen in the Type C Star Kazaks in the Hali article but is found in The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug.

One of the first things that struck me about about the Erikson Star Kazak is the wonderful bottom skirt. To my eyes it appears to be a nearly perfect band of two pick oblique interlacing. I saw this end finish in many rugs that came out of Nagorno Karabakh during the Nagorno Karabakh war.

Detail of left side (displayed sideways)

As is typical in many Caucasian Rugs the selvage is wrapped in the same yarn used for the pile.

In Conclusion I think this is most certainly best placed in the Pinner/Frances Type B classification. The star is of a type seen in types B, C, and D. The arrows are of the type seen in types B amd C. The Octagon ornaments are type B. The dividers are of a type seen in types B, C, and D. The borders are narrow which is commisurate with types A and B. When we take all these indicators as a whole it is clear to me that this can only be a Type B.

For Further Reading:

Index to JBOC's Rug Notes

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.