1880's Antique Caucasian Marasali Shirvan Rug - 3′5″ × 4′2″

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Here we have a truly refined tribal piece — a Marasali rug from the Shirvan region, woven in the 1880s. … Read more Here we have a truly refined tribal piece — a Marasali rug from the Shirvan region, woven in the 1880s. It measures just 3’5” by 4’2”; however, there is a remarkable amount of artistry and intention packed into every inch.

Woven in the village of Marasali, deep in the Caucasus, this rug reflects what makes Shirvan weaving so special: a sense of precision, a love of geometry, and an unmistakable vitality in color and pattern. These rugs were made by tribal hands but often with an eye toward market sophistication — a rare balance between ancestral tradition and evolving artistry.

The first thing you notice is that ivory field — it's clean, open, and alive. Against it, you see a cascade of stylized motifs: tiny latch-hooks, rosettes, almost floral shapes, dancing in tones of deep red, indigo, green, golden yellow, and black. The contrast is striking — this ivory ground doesn’t just brighten the colors; it gives them a stage.

The borders are layered and detailed — narrow guard stripes frame a central band of intricate, almost folkloric designs. You’ll find stars, vines, abstracted amulets, even shapes that hint at ancient symbolism. These borders don’t just decorate the rug — they protect the composition, both visually and physically.

The rug is entirely wool — wool pile on a wool foundation, all dyed naturally. You get reds from madder root, blues from indigo, yellows and greens from local plants. These vegetable dyes, especially after more than 140 years, create a gorgeous abrash — that subtle shift in color tone — a signature of authenticity and age.

It’s low pile, woven with a tight Turkish knot — a level of precision that speaks to the weaver’s hand. You can feel the deliberateness of every knot. Rugs like this weren’t mass-produced. They were made for use in the home — prayer rugs, gathering rugs, bedside rugs — something personal, deeply valued.

And today? This piece would shine in a reading nook, an entryway, or beneath a chair in a cozy corner. Its tribal character adds warmth, while the symmetry and scale work beautifully in both modern and classic interiors.

This Marasali is more than just decorative. It’s a piece of textile history, full of life, intention, and continuity — bridging the 19th-century Caucasus with today’s home, without ever feeling out of place.”

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