532. an irrisistable antique Lenkoran Caucasian rug

532. Provenance: Lenkoran, Talish, Azerbaijan, The Caucasus

Size: 270 x 135 cm

Age: Circa 1880

Condition: Good for age. Minor reweaves.

Notes: A delightful tribal rug, displaying all the invigorating naivity for which true 19th Century Caucasians are justly famed. Lenkoran was once the capital of the khanate of Talish, and lies in the southern Caucasus, on the Caspian Sea. This piece features two major Lenkoran medallions, which may be large geometricized calyx or derived from ealier dragon motifs. These medallions have four arms (though they sometimes have but two), and have about them the look of insects or perhaps scorpians. Surrounding them are 6 minor octagonal medallions, each in glorious and varied natural dyes, four squarish, almost Chinese 'leiwen' motifs, and multiple stylized flowerheads. The major border is a beautifully executed 'interlocking crab' repeat, and the minor borders, the pointed diamond turret repeats so popular in Caucasians, executed in both dark indigo and turqoise. An altogether captivating collector piece.