Star Kazak Rugs

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.

The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 2
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 3
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 4
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 5
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 6
The Erikson Type B Star Kazak Rug 7

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”.

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.

One of the first things that struck me 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.

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 and 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 commiserate 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.


Type B Star Kazak Rug w/structure

Type B Star Kazak Rug w/structure
Type B Star Kazak Rug w/structure 2

DESCRIPTION

A Kazak rug, Southwest Caucasus

Third quarter 19th century. Approximately 6 ft. 3 in. by 4 ft. 2 in.

Warp: wool, Z3S, ivory

Weft: wool, Z2 red, 2 – 5 shoots

Pile: wool, symmetric knot

Density: 6 – 7 H, 7 – 8V c

Sides: 2 cords of two warps each, overcast in red.

Ends: Upper incomplete, warp fringe, lower – 1/2 in. killem (incomplete) warp fringe.

Colors: Cayenne. medium to deep cranberry, sapphire. cypress, azure, cardarmon ochre, cordovan, black wahiut, peacock blue

Star Kazak rugs have long been justifiably appreciated by scholars and collectors for their bold and distinctive designs woven in vibrant colors. The rug offered here is a previously unpublished example from the group of some forty known Star Kazak rugs. The present lot shares with all Star Kazak rugs a schematic design of madder medallions and indigo stars spaced by diagonally oriented polygons on a cream ground. In The article Star-Kazaks”. Hali Vol. 3 no 1, 1980, pp. 17-26. the editors subdivide Star Kazak rugs into four groups (A. B. C. and D) based on design orientation and borders. The present lot falls solidly into Group B. However with star filled side borders that appear unusual with the group and end borders that appear unusual within the group and end borders generally associated with Group C rugs. Eberhart Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich and Textilkunst vol. I, Munich, 1989. p. 34 lists all previously published Star Kazak rugs with eight known group B pieces. The lot here offered is therefore the ninth known Star Kazak of the B group. The present rug retains much of its original pile and exhibits the range and bold use of color employed the most sought after rugs of the Star Kazak group.


 The Eitzenberger Stern Kasak
The Eitzenberger Stern Kasak

Country of Origin: Caucasus

Dimensions: 220cm x 163cm

Origin: 18th century


Orient Stars Type A Star Kazak Rug
Orient Stars Type A Star Kazak Rug
Orient Stars Type A Star Kazak Rug 2

Orient Stars Type A Star Kazak


Type C Star Kazak rug 3rd quarter 19th century
Type C Star Kazak rug 3rd quarter 19th century

DESCRIPTION

A Star Kazak rug, Southwest Caucasus

third quarter 19th century

oxidized browns, scattered rewoven and repiled areas, missing end guard stripes, reselvaged, approximately 7 ft. 8 in. by 5 ft. (2.34 by 1.52m.)

Warp: wool, Z2S, natural ivory

Weft: wool, Z, 3 shoots, rose

Pile: wool, symmetric knot Density: 8H, 8V

Sides: 2 cords of three warps wrapped in polychrome wool (not entirely original)

Ends: warp fringe

Colors: madder red, salmon, deep blue, medium blue, blue-green, aubergine, ivory, walnut


The Emil Mirzakhanian ”Star” Kazak
The Emil Mirzakhanian ''Star'' Kazak
“Star Kasak” carpet, Sud-East Caucasus,
mid 19th century, 220×147 cm.


The Posubazaar Star Kazak Rug
The Posubazaar Star Kazak Rug

Caucasian Carpet

Azerbaigian Star Kazak – Caucasus

Beginning of the 20.th Century

Dimensions: 190*150

Perfect Condition


The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 2
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 3
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 4
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 5
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 6
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 7
The MICHAIL di David Sorgato Type C Star Kazak Rug 8

STAR KAZAK

South-West Caucasus

Second half of 19th cent.

217 x156 cm.

Star-Kazaks fall into four distinct group (A-D). The present piece is a ‘C’ group. Literature: Hali, vol.3,no.1,1980,pag 21, no.8,similar piece- Hali, vol. II, n°3,1979,pag 59, similar piece- Peter Bausback:Antike orientalische Knupfkunst, Ausstellung 16.-26 Okt.1976, Mannheim, Seite 43, similar piece


Christie’s Star Kazak Rug
Christie's Star Kazak Rug
Christie's Star Kazak Rug 2

Southwest Caucasus Third Quarter 19th Century The cream field with a traditional polychrome Star Kazak design within a maize hooked lozenge border in crimson, teal, and indigo.

Approximately 7ft. 4 in. x 5 ft. 6 in.

Warp: wool, light beige-tan, natural 1 strand plied with wool, medium brown, natural, 1 strand, Z2S overall.

Weft: a. wool, dyed light red brown, Z2s, 2 – 5 shoots alternating equally wavy; or b. wool, dyed blue, natural, Z2S, as a.: a few partial yellow woolZ2 shoots.

Pile: wool, Z2, symmetric knots, no warp depression, H 6-7 x V5

Sides: 2 bundles of 2 body warps banded in blue and red Z2 wool, or all blue.

Ends: top, 3/8 in. weft faced Z2 wool blue plainweave; bottom, not original.

Colors: canary, ivory, dark blue, aubergine, rust, medium blue, medium green, brown-black.

Star Kazaks have long been among the most coveted of all Caucasian rugs to modern day collectors. Their desirability, most likely caused by their powerful design and their bold. varied palette. is heightened by their rarity. The present rug can be classified s Star Kazak type D as discussed by Hali Vol. 3, No 1 in 1980 (see Star Kazak Hali, Vol.3. No. I. 1980, pp. 17-26). This group shares many common elements, the first being the dimensions of the rug of length; width as 1:2. Other similar details are the interior hooked motif in the red star octagon, thee internal brackets of the central star. the aubergine arrows and the reciprocal triangle minor border in red and blue. Thc main border of hooked lozenge containing four “C” shapes is also the same on all the rugs of this group and is an aberration of the crab device border.

The present example closely resembles a Star Kazak from the James F. Ballard Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Dimand and Mailey, Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 1973. fig. 240). The only difference between this piece and the Ballard rug are the minor secondary elements such as the diamonds on the field and in the interior of the arrows seen here in our example. Another close example from the same group is in the possession of Peter Bausback (Hali. Vol. I. No. 4, 1979, page 60). They share in common the vertical rows of enclosed star motifs down the sides of the field, as well as the small diamonds which fill the field, as well as the small diamonds which fill the field and hooked devices.


A Yuruk rug with Star-Kasak type C design 19th century
A Yuruk rug with Star-Kasak type C design 19th century

Title A Yuruk rug with Star-Kasak type C design, EASTERN ANATOLIA, 19th century

Size 272 x 137 cm


The Franz Bausback Type C Stern-Kasak Kaukasus
The Franz Bausback Type C Stern-Kasak Kaukasus
The Franz Bausback Type C Stern-Kasak Kaukasus 2

STERN-KASAK, Caucasus

235 x 159 cm


The Haliden Type C Star Kazak Rug
The Haliden Type C Star Kazak Rug

STERN-KASAK, Caucasus

235 x 159 cm


The Arditti ”Star” Kazak Mid 19th century
The Arditti ''Star'' Kazak Mid 19th century

”Star” Kazak Mid 19th cent 7’10” x 5’3” (2.38m x 1.60m)