I have been corresponding
with the American Collector Riley Daniels. I thought I
would share this with all of you.
Barry,
Here are some images from my collection that may be of
interest to you
as part of your Bordjalu
research. I’ll spread the photos out over
several emails due to their size. Your comments are
certainly welcomed.
Riley
Hello Riley,
I have been roughing out my Guide to Bordjalu rugs. As I
started it became obvious that the group was not
homogenous. Two distinct groups emerged which I called
Type A and Type B. This helps but soon it became apparent
that Type B was made up of at least two clearly
delineated groups so I mentally assigned a Type C. About
the same time I spotted the Karayazy rug in Wright,
Richard. Wertime, John. Caucasian Carpets and Covers
(Plate 53). On top of this I found out the old Khanate of
Bordjalu is present day
Marneuli, Gardabani and Bolnisi. so I conclude that here
is a high probability that I can divide Bordjalu rugs into three main
groups Marneuli, Gardabani (Karayazy), and Bolnisi
So at this point my Guide to Bordjalu
rugs is woefully out of date with my current thought so
as I discuss your rugs (the Daniels Collection Bordjalu Rugs) I will try to
work out attributions.
Best wishes,
Barry
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Riley wrote:
#228
43” X 66” There are a few of these
around. I know a collector in Ohio who has a
piece like this that looks to be older than this
one. Sotheby’s NY offered on in their
12-14-01 sale that had two rows of five
rectangular medallions. There is one in the
Schumann book. They all have the same white and
black reciprocal border and have a red field. Who
knows what the genesis of the rectangular motifs
are? Could they represent rugs?
Would you classify this is a type B?
JBOC: I attribute this main border to Marneuli
and Gardabani. The secondary field motif is
a traditional Azeri Turk motif. Gardabani rugs
show heavy Azeri influences as compared to
Marneuli so I have to attribute this rug to Gardabani
/Karayazy. |
#222
3’ 6” by 4’ 4” Multi-color
flowers float in a green mihrab on red field.
Inscribed border with typical Bordjalu reciprocal
design. Rugs has been cut and shortened and
expertly repaired. Look at the very bottom of the
green field and you’ll see the interrupted
border design where the cut was made. Technically
a fragment, this is still one of my favorites.
It’s on the wall right next to where
I’m sitting.
JBOC: I have to wonder what this rug looked like
when it was on the loom. I wonder if it was a
double niche with one at each end. I also suspect
that it is prettier now then if it was extant.
This rug has the borders I connect with
Marneuli and Gardabani. My thoughts at this point
is that Marneuli is more casual in execution of
these reciprocal borders than the rugs of
Gardabani. I see this rug as more in the style of
Marneuli . The green field and a head and
shoulders mihrab are typical of this group I
associate with Marneuli.
Compare this one to Plate 37 in Hubel, Reinhard G. The Book of
Carpets.
N.B. the rug is dated 1894.
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#223
2’ 9” by 5’ 2” 4 Latch hook
medallions fill a blue mihrab. Colors are not
typical. Awesome blue and lemon gold reciprocal
border. Illegible inscription a top of arch. May
be early 20th century. I hesitate to call this
one Bordjalu,
although I suspect most dealers I know would
offer it as a 19th century Bordjalu. What do you
think? JBOC: Of course I am only seeing a
picture but I feel comfortable placing this in
the Marneuli group.
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#227
3’ 9” by 4’ 9” Typical
design including two navy medallions on red field
with re-entrant mihrab. Your type B.JBOC:
Hmmm! I have been thinking about these borders.
My feeling is that it is an Armenian
interpretation of a traditional Azeri border.
Normally an Azeri weaver leaves the background of
the main border one color and changes the
decorative iconography. In Kazaks
and particularly Bordjalu
Kazaks the rugs
exhibit color change in alternating interstices
at the point of bifurcation in the leaf border.
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So I think it is an Armenian trait but
I wanted to dig a little deeper so I reviewed my notes on
Kazaks to see which rugs share
this attribute. Of the non-Bordjalu
rugs I note these examples
Colored Interstice Border
Since it seems Armenian but still in the Type B group
I previously proposed I will suggest that an attribution
of this rug to Marneuli.
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225
3’ 4” by 4’ 2” Typical
design, but has been reduced in length (notice
the squat mihrab). Has two cuts, ends and edges
in bad shape. Nice light blue and soft apple
green. Another type B.JBOC: With the same
reasoning as above I would assign this rug to
Marneuli a well.
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#220
6’2” by5’4” A
prototypical type A. One of my favorite
pieces.
JBOC: yes definitely a Type A but under my
new Bordjalu
paradigm I am assigning these rugs to Bolnisi. |
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#221
3’ 4” by 4’ 4” Classic 3
medallion design, but, interpreted by a Bordjalu weaver?
Unusual border design. Great green and salmon
colored wool.
Pile varies from medium to full. Based on the
minor border, simple
composition, and limited number of colors, would
you attribute this to the Bordjalu region?JBOC:
No. I think it is from somewhere else in the Kazakregion but I am just
not sure where. I will have to think about this
one and collect more samples. I recognize the
main border but cannot place where.
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For Further Reading:
Thanks and best wishes,
J. Barry O'Connell Jr.
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Persian
Rugs the O'Connell Guides
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