KAZAK REGION, SOUTH CAUCASUS, CIRCA 1870

The over-sized central 'shield' medallion is synonymous with Sewan Kazak rugs, so it is through the inclusion of small details and the interplay of colour where the weaver is able to diversify. A rug with a 'Shield' or 'Maltese cross' medallion and stylised animal and tree border, that includes small animals and figures within the ivory outer band of the central medallion, is published by Eberhart Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche VIII, Munich, 1986, no.27, p.70. Another, sold in these Rooms, 18 April 1985, lot 71, was also with Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche V, Munich, 1983, no.37, p.81 and a comparable 'Shield' rug sold in these Rooms, 28 October 2020, lot 161. The present rug has a deep corrosion in the dark brown, throwing the border motifs into high relief and a richly preserved colour palette, rippled with abrashes in the pine-green medallion. For a fuller discussion on the design development of this group see, "The Development of Four Kazak Designs", Raoul Tschebull, HALI, Vol 1, No.3, p.257-259.