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This is a striking example of a fairly unusual
example of a Fachralo
Kazak. The main
medallions are simpler than we normally see in
published Fachralo
rugs and the compartment design is not that
common either. If it turned out to be a little
further south I would not be shocked. Nonetheless
I do not see a better attribution for it and it
is a wonderful rug.
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Provenance - Formerly of James C. Allen.
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Fachralo
rugs are in the Kazak
group. One important attribution is the wefts. Gendge and Kazak rugs commonly have
red wefts but undyed wefts such as these are not
unheard of. This also has three shots of wefts
which points to an attribution in the Gendge Kazak group. |
19th century Museum Fahraly caucasian @
a-bey
Item # 927855521
Description
Here
is a 19th century MUSEUM QUALITY Fachraly Kazak measuring
4’1” X 8’ 9". This weaving is from
Fachraly and exhibits the simple native high mountain
aesthetic that has so justifiably made these among the
most desirable of Caucasian rugs to collectors all over
the world. The region of Kazak consists of the western
area of the Caucasus Mountains stretching from Erivan in
the South to Tiflis in the North. The populations were
predominantly Armenian descent with a large proportion
also nomadic Kurdish herdsmen. The present offering is
early, perhaps being as old as 140 years. The dyes are
vegetable and very mellowed. There is a pale green , a
mid green, several shades of blue and red. The design is
simple and direct but it fully embodies the dignified and
reserved aesthetic of the mid 19th century.
The small village of Fachraly is world renowned for its
superlative weavings and dyes. The dyes in this piece are
all vivid natural dyes that have aged and mellowed into
highly attractive individualistic hues rather than the
drab ones so often seen with old synthetic dyes.
The design is typical yet again so individualized that it
is almost novel. The medallion motif is known from 16th
and 17th century Anatolian weavings and we think that
these were the inspiration for rugs like the present
offering. The border of this rug is one of the very
simplest of all Caucasian rug borders and for this reason
and the perfect balance in the mass of the elements of
its design this rug is truly an outstanding collectors
piece. The dyes of this weaving contain two related
colors that are truly exceptional.
There is a light lime green in the center of some
medallions that is a superlative hue. This light green is
balanced with a mid value lime color and a dark forest
green. These are absolutely mid-19th century colors and
are not found in later 19th century weaving.. The blue
looks like that of the deep blue sea. The central
medallion has a true heraldic quality and projects a
sense or feeling of greatness, like a great emblazon.
The piece was made of the traditional soft pliable wool
found at high altitude. The knotting is quite fine at
approximately 70-80 Ksi. The pile is medium length and is
sufficient to conceal essentially all of the knot nodes.
There are no apparent repairs. The selvages look to be
original. This piece most probably belongs in the circa
1850 to 1870 range. The wefts are undyed wool. All in
all, this is another very fine and highly collectible rug
bought to you by a-bey on ebay.
For Further Reading:
Thanks and best wishes,
J. Barry O'Connell Jr.
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