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:
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
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
East Caucasus. 19th c. 144 x 94cm.
Interesting design, yellow ground wedge hooks border.
Armenian Erivan Rug Karagashli Derivative
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.