Our Introduction to Caucasian Rugs only briefly sketched the range of types from this mountainous region of a thousand languages and ethnicities. Here we discuss one particularly interesting piece that helps to expand upon our remarks.

Stock ID: 21711
Caucasian Talish
3’4″ x 10’10”
circa 1880

An unusually fine example from a rare group of mid-19^th century Talish (Shirvan) long rugs, almost always with radiant blue and more or less open grounds, this piece employs few simple geometric devices which scarcely interrupt the open window character of the long field. The carpet is the aesthetic antithesis of most Caucasian carpets, saying a lot with very little. Minimalist modern art has nothing on this piece.

This particular Talish long rug is one of a select group of no more than a few dozen known examples, most of which employ the same poly chrome border of triangles – the so-called ‘Dragon’ pattern. Several examples of this select group are dated before 1850, and our specimen may be significantly older than the ultra-conservative attribution we have placed on it. The weave is neat, even, and regular.

While the rug is collectible, if you want to hang it vertically you’d better have a mansion or country estate with tall ceilings! Alternatively, you can roll it out for carpet aficionados to drool over. Or you can just treat it right, and live with it, and love it.