Marasali Rugs

Guide To Caucasian Marasali Rugs & Carpets

Marasali rugs are attributed to a village south of Shemaka in the Shirvan region of the Caucasus.

Typical Marasali Structure

Marasali rugs tend to be very similar to Shirvan rugs.

Warps wool 3ZS or sometimes tan or brown wool and cotton sometimes unplied (see Caucasian Prayer Rugs plate 97).

Wefts: 2 shoots often cotton but wool and silk are sometimes seen.

Ends: plainweave with fringe or offset overhand knots.

Sides: two cord white wool or cotton.

Warps are mildly depressed. 2 ply warps often barber-poled the lighter ply may be cotton.

Notes: There seems to me a dichotomy in knot counts. Examples from before the Russian period pre-1830 may have much higher knot counts. Rugs from the Russian commercial period circa 1865 onwards the rugs seem to be comparable to Shirvan rugs which average 113 kpsi. I do not think there was major commercial weaving in the mid 18th century in Southern Azaerbaijan.

Examples

Antique Marasali Prayer Rug

Antique Marasali Prayer Rug

In Caucasian rugs color is the critical factor. This rug has outstanding color.

This is a very rare type of Marasali Prayer Rug. This rug is part of a very small group of rugs and can be compared to Plate 94 in Ralph Kaffel’s Caucasian Prayer Rugs a magnificent white ground Marsali from the Dixon collection. The field design and the borders are very similar. Of course this rug has had its borders rebuilt where needed and is complete whereas the Dixon piece is missing it’s outer guard border and the main border is reduced. This rug however differs from the Dixon white ground Marsali in that this one has wool wefts and a knot count similar to several pieces listed as early 19th century.

Marasali rugs are attributed to a village south of Shemaka in the Shirvan region of the Caucasus. The exact village is a subject of conjecture but the flaming boteh rugs have been one of the very old Caucasian designs. White ground Marsali Prayer Rugs are comparatively rare and dark fields are much more common.

Marasali Prayer Rug Caucasus, 19th Century. 3 foot 5 inch by 4 foot 8 inch.
Structure: Symmetrical. 14 knots per horizontal inch and 11 knots per vertical inch. 154 per square inch (2387 per square decimeter).

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: wool.

Weft: 2 shots ivory wool.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Warp fringe (rebuilt).

Selvages: 2 warp units wrapped in white cotton.

Further Notes. The ends have been rewoven and the rug has has some re-piling. There are repairs. The rug is in excellent shape and the repairs seem good.



Antique Shirvan-Marasali Prayer Rug

Antique Shirvan-Marasali Prayer Rug

Shirvan-Marasali Prayer Rug Caucasus, 19th Century. 3 foot 5 inch by 4 foot 8 inch.

Structure: Symmetrical. 10 knots per horizontal inch and 10 knots per vertical inch. 100 per square inch (1550 per square decimeter).

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: wool.

Weft: 2 shots ivory wool.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Warp fringe (rebuilt).

Selvages: 2 warp units wrapped in white cotton.

Further Notes. This rug is full and intact in low but excellent condition. There is no visible repair but there may well be some historical repair that is not apparent.


Gold Field Floral Lattice Marasali Prayer Rug

Gold Field Floral Lattice Marasali Prayer Rug


A late 19th c. Marasali prayer rug
A late 19th c. Marasali prayer rug



Marasali Rug Late 19th C.

A finely knotted, colourful Marasali with so-called flaming botehs. – Some restored place at the right side of the upper border, sides partly overcast, ends original. High pile.


Marsali Prayer Rug


White ground fine Marasali with prayer arch
White ground fine Marasali with prayer arch
White gound fine Marasali with the characteristic prayer arch and serrated lozenge net.



A rare Marasali prayer rug (fragment)
A rare Marasali prayer rug (fragment)

Possibly mid 19th century, 4ft.9in. x 2ft. 1.45m. x 0.61m.
Overall even wear, heavier in small area in centre, probably missing main border and outer guard, sewn down onto mount. An apparently archaic version of this well-known design with unusual minor motifs.


Frauenknecht Antique Marasali Prayer Rug
Frauenknecht Antique Marasali Prayer Rug