376. A museum quality antique Khila Caucasian rug

376. Provenance: Khila (or Chila), Shrivan-Baku, Azerbaijan, The Caucasus

Age: Circa 1870

Size: 260 x 140 cm

Condition: Good for age, with some areas of modest wear and loss at one end

Notes: Wonderfully colourful repeats of the famous 'boteh' (precursor to Scotland's Paisley design) tear-drop shape. I have a book of highlights from the Victoria & Albert Museum's carpet collection (which includes the world's most famous carpet, the glorious 'Ardebil'), and there is one, remarkably similar, though inferior, to this, dated at roughly 1870. From Ian Bennett's 'Oriental Rugs Vol 1: Caucasian': 'Good old examples are seldom encountered, especially in good condition, and are among the most sought-after and highly valued of Caucasian carpets'.

Price: $2495