Karachopf Kazak Rugs

Guide to Antique Karachopf Kazak Rugs

Examples:

The Alberto Levi Karachop Kazak Prayer Rug
The Alberto Levi Karachop Kazak prayer rug
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, circa 1860

Size: 5ft. 4in. x 3ft. 9in. (162 x 115 cm.)

Structure: Symmetrically knotted wool pile on a wool foundation.

Description: A unique example of its type, this Karachop prayer rug is characterized by a rectangular niche enclosing square devices and checkered motifs typical of the so-called Karachop-variant design. These elements are clustered around a striking zoomorphic motif that resembles an eagle in flight. At the base of the niche we see a pair of foot palms, to which corresponds a pair of hand palms located in the upper compartment, indicating the position of prayer. A curious feature is the presence in the latter compartment of a cartouche containing an enigmatic sequence of Arabic numbers (starting with five, followed by 225 repeated three times). The waterbug-type motifs that decorate the border are sometimes seen on Fachralo prayer rugs, although they are known to frame some of the earliest Karachop rugs.


Karachopf Kazak Rug
Karachopf Kazak Rug
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, last quarter 19th century

Size: 8ft. 2in. by 5ft. 11in. (2.49 by 1.08 m.)

Description: Oxidized browns, reweaves, one original kilim end, foldwear.


Karachopf Kazak Rug with Structure
Karachopf Kazak Rug with Structure
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, circa 1900

Size: 7ft. 9in. by 5ft. 8in. (2.36 m. by 1.73 m.)

Warp: Wool, Z3S, ivory / light brown mix

Weft: Wool, Z2S, (loosely plied) 2 shoots, salmon, dark brown

Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot

Density: 6-7 horizontal, 7-8 vertical

Sides: Wool, 2 cords of 2 warps each, overcast salmon, some dark brown

Ends: Upper – 1 in. macramé, then warp fringe over 1/2 in. black kilim; Lower – 1/2 in. salmon kilim then warp loops

Colors: Madder red, teal green, medium to deep lapis, ivory, ochre, cornflower, charcoal blue, dark chocolate, deep moss, black

Other Notes on Condition: Minor restored areas.

Karachopf Kazak Rug with Structure


Karachopf Kazak Rug
Karachopf Kazak Rug
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, last quarter 19th century

Size: 6ft. 11in. by 5ft. 1in. (2.11 m. by 1.55 m.)

Warp: Wool, Z3S, natural white

Weft: Wool, Z2S (loosely plied), ivory, ash

Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot

Density: 8 horizontal, 7-8 vertical

Sides: Wool, 2 cords of 2 warps each, overcast blue

Ends: Upper – 1 in. blue and red stripe, turned under and sewn; Lower – warp fringe

Colors: Light to deep madder red, cornflower blue, light to deep teal blue, eggshell, ochre, seal brown, olive green, black

Other Notes on Condition: Oxidized browns and a small repiled area.

Karachopf Kazak Rug


Karatchoph Kazak rug, ca. 1850
A Karatchoph Kazak rug ca. 1850
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, ca. 1850

Size: 210 x 188 cm.

Notes on Condition: Sides and ends professionally re-knotted, some re-knotted areas throughout. Corroded browns partly restored.


Karachov Kazak Rug, Late 19th C.
Karachov Kazak Rug late 19th C.
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, late 19th century

Size: 6ft.9in. x 6ft.1in. (2.05m. x 1.86m.)

Condition: Even wear overall. Upper end partly rewoven. Other areas of skilful restoration. Missing outer guards on either end.


Karachopt Kazak Rug, circa 1880
Karachopt Kazak Rug circa 1880
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, circa 1880

Measurements: 7ft. 7in. by 5ft. 11in. (2.31 by 1.80m.)

Description: Partially oxidized dark browns, repiling, reselvaged, rewoven end guard stripes, minor foldwear.

Karachopt Kazak Rug circa 1880


Late 19th Century Karachov Kazak Rug
Late 19th century Karachov Kazak Rug
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, late 19th century

Size: 7ft.5in. x 6ft. (2.26m. x 1.83m.)

Condition: Evenly low overall, some rewoven areas.


Kasak-Karatchop
Kasak-Karatchop. Ende 19 Van-Ham KatNr.: 510
Size: 251 x 112cm.


The James C. Allen Type B Karachopf Kazak
The James C. Allen Type B Karachopf Kazak

The James C. Allen Type B Karachopf Kazak
Here is a rare Caucasian weaving from Karachopf, a Karachopk Prayer Rug. This ancient center was renowned for the largest and most beautiful carpets from the Caucasus Mountains in the second half of the 19th century. Many people are aware that Karachopf carpets have sold for many tens of thousands of dollars; even fifty thousand isn’t too hard to imagine. The Karachopf weavers employed the best dyers and obtained the great high altitude wool, which is so very soft and durable, to weave their carpets with. There always was something special about Karachopf Kazaks, and their long-standing popularity reflects that.

This Prayer Rug contains many of the most basic Karachopf design elements and combines them with the large size and famous soft Karachopf wool to produce an absolute masterpiece of Caucasian rug weaving.

This rug measures 4 feet 4 inches X 8 feet. The dyes are all natural and it is obvious this rug was always cherished — being well cared for, it is in near mint condition. The ends have been to the beauty parlor but no repiling and the selvages are original. The pile probably isn’t mint, but it is full. The wool of the pile is incredibly soft, yet the pile is still about one half inch long. The white reciprocal figures in the white ground border come absolutely alive at night. In fact, this rug glows in a fire or candlelight from the incredible sheen of the wool. The back looks really old and the loose weave and great wool are consistent with a prayer rug made for local use and not for sale. This rug did in fact come directly out of the Caucasus Mountains and might well have been there for 120 to 150 years.

Karachopf rugs fall into two main groupings. Type A is far more common. This rug falls into the Type B group and even in that group is unusual. The white chartouche is commonly seen in this group but the drawing is more elaborate than usual. The border is unusual as well. We see those medallions in Karachopf rugs but typically in the field, not the border.

Karachopf is in the Southern part of the Kazak region in a historically Armenian area. Armenian inscriptions are common in Karachopf rugs. The guard border is one seen in Bolnisi and other Armenian rugs.

The James C. Allen Type B Karachopf Kazak
This is a classic Kazak back. The back is flat, with no warp depression. Note also how most rows have six shots of weft and others have four.


19th C. Karachoph rug, Kazak
A 19th c Karachoph rug, Kazak
Origin: Caucasus, 19th century

Size: 200 x 130 cm.

Condition: Minor restorations, corroded browns.


Karachov Kazak Rug, Late 19th C.
Karachov Kazak Rug Late 19th C.
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, late 19th century

Size: 7ft.10in. x 4ft.6in. (2.39m. x 1.37m.)

Condition: Kink removed each side and ensuing small areas repiled.


Kazak Rug, Southwest Caucasus
A Kazak Rug, lot 14 Karachov
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, last quarter 19th century

Size: 7ft. by 4ft. 11in. (2.13 by 1.50 m.)

Description: Oxidized browns, rewoven ends, reselvaged, repiled areas.


Kazak Karatchop Rug, West Caucasus, circa 1890
Kazak Karatchop Rug, West Caucasus, circa 1890
Measurements: 6ft. 7in. by 4ft. 5in. (200 by 135cm.)


A Splendid Kazak rug, early 20th C.
A Splendid Kazak rug early 20th C.
Size: 207 x 153 cm.


Karachopf Kazak Rug from The Lenkoran Gallery
Karachopf Kazak Rug from The Lenkoran Gallery
Origin: W. Caucasus, 2nd half 19th century

Size: 2.10m x 1.62m

Description: Mint condition. Full pile, great color, squarish format. Perfect condition.


Unusual ‘Karachov’ Kazak, Mid 19th Century
Unusual 'Karachov' Kazak, mid 19th century
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, mid 19th century

Size: 7ft.10in. x 5ft.10in. (2.39m. x 1.78m.)

Condition: Heavy wear in places, tears at base and halfway across centre, stained area top right. Despite its condition, a splendid old Kazak with thick lustrous wool and extraordinarily rich color including light aubergine.


Kasak-Karatchop
Kasak-Karatchop. Ende 19. Van-Ham
Size: 251 x 112cm.


Fachralo Kazak Prayer Rug, Last Quarter 19th C.
Fachralo Kazak Prayer Rug, Last Quarter 19th C.
Origin: Southwest Caucasus, last quarter 19th century

Size: 5ft. x 3ft. 10in.

Condition: Rewoven end.


Fachralo Kazak Rug dated 1871 AD
Fachralo Kazak Rug dated 1871 AD
Origin: Southwest Caucasus

Date: circa 1871; illegibly inscribed; dated 1288 (1871AD)

Size: 10ft. 6in. by 5ft. 4in. (321 by 164cm.)


Karachoph Kazak Rug, Third Quarter 19th C.
Karachoph Kazak Rug, Third Quarter 19th C.
Origin: Southwest Caucasus

Size: 8ft. 8in. x 4ft. 8in.

Condition: Rewoven ends, other small repairs.


The M Tehrani Karachoph Kazak Rug, 19th C.
The M Tehrani Karachoph Kazak Rug, 19th C.
Measurements: 241 x 155 cm.


Karachoph Kazak Rug, Third Quarter 19th century

Origin: Kazak Region, Caucasian Rugs

Size: 7 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft. 5 in.

Date: Last quarter 19th century. Slight even wear to center, small rewoven area on one end. Other small repairs have also taken place.


Karachoph/Karachopt Kazak Rug with Green Ground, circa 1875

Karachoph/Karachopt Kazak Rug with Green Ground, circa 1875

Type: Mughal Rug

Size: 7 ft. 4 in. x 5 ft. 6 in.

Condition: Original side and end finishes. Oxidized dark browns, minor fold wear.

Description: The green ground and yellow border of this rug is found on those Karachopt Kazaks that have been the most sought after by collectors over the years.