Late 19th Century Caucasian Shirvan Prayer Rug (Karagashli Type)

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Description

This rug is an authentic late 19th-century Shirvan prayer-format piece from the eastern Caucasus, woven in the Karagashli stylistic tradition. … Read more This rug is an authentic late 19th-century Shirvan prayer-format piece from the eastern Caucasus, woven in the Karagashli stylistic tradition. Its elongated proportions, directional field orientation, and vertically structured layout indicate a functional and symbolic purpose consistent with Caucasian prayer rugs of the period. The design displays a stepped, implied mihrab effect achieved through geometric forms, color elevation, and motif orientation—typical of Shirvan prayer rugs that use abstraction rather than a literal arch.
The palette of madder red, indigo blue, golden yellow, and ivory is derived from natural vegetal dyes, consistent with pre-aniline Caucasian weaving. The rug reflects the precision, color harmony, and symbolic richness characteristic of late 19th-century Shirvan craftsmanship at its mature period.

It is priced at the appraised value, reflecting the late 19th-century date, desirable prayer format, natural dyes, Karagashli design lineage, strong decorative appeal despite antique wear, uplift in demand for pre-1900 Shirvan prayer rugs, relevant market comparables for similar pieces in U.S. and European collector markets. The appaisal is available upon request.

The structure uses a symmetrical (Turkish/Ghiordes) knot on wool warp and weft, in line with village weaving traditions of the Kuba–Shirvan district. The field is anchored by a vertically aligned medallion formation, surrounded by protective devices such as ram’s horns, diamonds, serrated leaf forms, and stylized rosettes. These elements, oriented upward, reinforce the prayer format.
The triple-border system consists of:
• A main border with alternating geometric rosettes and latch-hooks
• Inner guard stripes using reciprocal angular motifs
• Outer guards completing the directional frame
The wool is finely spun and dyed with vegetal sources, giving the rug notable abrash and organic tonal variation. The proportions—tall, narrow, strongly directional—further support its classification as a prayer rug subtype within the Karagashli family. See less