SMALLER AND MIDDLE SIZED RUGS. 3.

SMALLER AND MIDDLE SIZED RUGS. 3.

Here you will find a mixture of smaller and middle sized rugs from Central Asia and North Africa with lengths up to 275 cms., or 9 feet, (108 inches) with varying widths.

RARE SILK RUG FROM THE NORTHERN INDIAN PROVINCE OF KASHMIR; CIRCA 1925. In 1997 the New York based METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART held what is possibly the best exhibition of carpets and fragments from the Mughal Empire period (early 1500s to mid 1850s). Many of the exhibits were hand woven carpets from Kashmir and nearby Lahore. It was accompanied by the excellent full colour text book "FLOWERS UNDERFOOT" which is packed with information arranged in an easy, sequential readable way. The rug is inscribed and dated the equivalent of 1925. Because of the rarity we have carried out extensive research into its origin with fellow rug dealers and even sent it for extensive examination by eminent experts. The conclusion is that it was woven in Kashmir circa 1925. Today Kashmir is divided into areas which are administered by India, Pakistan and China.

RARE SILK RUG FROM THE NORTHERN INDIAN PROVINCE OF kASHMIR; CIRCA 1925. Curiously the rug is inscribed "Mohammad Dabir Sanayeh" who was a master rug weaver in the Persian city of Kashan in the period 1900 to 1930. Why remains a mystery. It was common in the days of the British Raj Administration for senior civil servants, and also prominent businessmen, to be given, or to order, a fine carpet to mark the occasion of the home journey at the end of their tenure. We actually had recently a fine Amritzar rug with a boldly inscribed panel saying "Best wishes Mr Duncan Cameron". This exquisite silk rug is in impeccable condition and has been a wall hanging for decades. Refrence 3525. Size 196 x 125 cms., or 6ft. 5ins. x 4ft. 2ins. Euros 1850.

Graceful portrayal of a song bird enjoying the local grapes.

This delicate design and weave shows a peacock unfurling his tail.

ANTIQUE AMRITZER RUG INSCRIBED "BEST WISHES. MR. DUNCAN CAMERON". No doubt a reward and farewell gift for Mr. Cameron.

ANTIQUE KASHKAI RUG from the Province of Fars in south west Persia. This piece is original and intact and has the extra end chequered borders associated with the top examples. The pile is low but even. The field has a profuse scattering of designs and motifs portraying birds, animals and floral scenes. The wool is soft and dyes appear natural. Reference 3551. Size 198 x 152 cms., or 6ft. 6ins. x 5ft. Euros 1950.

CLOSE UP of the central area showing glowing colours and scattered designs.

OLD CENTRAL TURKISH PRAYER RUG. This is from the area known as "Nigde" which is a large agricultural region with several well known villages weaving rugs. This example is probably from the village of Fertek which is in the region`s north west sector. It is probably mid 20th century or a bit earlier. The wools are soft and lustrous and the colours typical. Reference 3546. Size 165 x 102 cms., or 5ft. 5ins. x 3ft. 4ins. Euros 875.

CLOSE UP OF THE MAJOR BORDER, incorporating a leaf design and which runs round all four sides of the rug. The wide kilim end finishes are intact and original.

FINE SILK HEREKE RUG: This world famous weaving village is in the western, or asiatic, part of Turkey some 3 hours drive from Istanbul. The major weaving studios are all located there. This rug is of the quality which has a million knots of silk in every square meter. Reference 3554. Size 60 x 40 cms., or 24 x 16 inches. Euros 285. .

CLOSE UP of a perfectly drawn circular central medallion surrounded by equally fine flowers and other smaller motifs.

KASHAN RUG which dates from the mid 20th century and was woven in the city of Kashan in Central Persia. It is a very fine and detailed piece. The intricate pattern of beds containing several different floral plants is only usually found in the region of Joshaghan much further south. A rug from a very skilled weaver. Reference 3544. Size 242 x 135 cms., or 8ft. x 4ft. 5 inches. Euros 1450.

CLOSE UP of the classic Persian garden. A central water fountain is surrounded by four small ponds which, in turn, are flanked by many diamond shaped flower beds filled with a large variety of flowers in bloom.

ANTIQUE CAUCASIAN RUG which is from the Eastern Caucasian region of Kuba. It is the work of the Lesghi people after whom the star design in the centre panel is named. The pile is slightly low and there is corrosion in the areas of dark brown wool which indicates significant age. A very good resume of the Lesghi tribe appears in Nicolas Fokker`s excellent book "Caucasian Rugs of Yesterday" and the colour plate on page 103 is very similar in style and colour to this example. Reference 3552. Size 131 x 84 cms., or 55 x 32 inches. Euros 875.

CLOSE UP OF the highest of the four traditional Lesghi guls which are in a vertical line in the field. Each is slightly different in design and shades of colours. The dyes appear natural and the condition is very good. Reference 3553. Size 131 x 84 cms., or 4ft.. 4ins. x 2ft. 9 inches. Euros 875.

OLD CAUCASIAN RUG. While there seems to be agreement that this outstanding rug is from the overall region of Kuba in the eastern Caucasus, opinions differ as to a more precise origin. the small town of Surahani just north east of Kuba is mentioned but more scholars say that Konagkend further north along the Caspian Sea coastline is more likely. Thankfully the square shape, range of deep rich colours, the design of the rows of guls contained in rectangular beds are distinctive enough to help. Dr. Ian Bennett in his exhaustive book "Oriental Rugs, Volume 1, Caucasian" shows several which have almost identical features as this one. It deserves a place in a collection. Reference 3548. Size 157 x 163 cms., or 5ft. 2ins. x 5ft. 4 inches. Euros 2100.

CLOSE UP of the reverse side showing the weave pattern.

ANTIQUE MELAZ RUG. This is the oldest Melaz we have ever had and dates from the second half of the 19th century. Unfortunatley it is made from two sections joined at the half way of the rug horizontaly. Two areas of the reverse side have been stabilised by covering with an adhesive tape and there is a narrow band of hessian which has been attached to the reverse side along all four borders by hand stitching only. The condition is reflected in the low price and the joy of it is now visual. It should be displayed as a wall hanging or perhaps on a table top cover in the manner of the way some Dutch and Belgium homes have used old rugs like this for centuries. The colours are natural and glow. A piece with similar design elements and colours, although even older, is shown as plate 65 in the excellent text book "Oriental Rugs, Volume 4, Turkish" by Zipper and Fritzche. Reference 3547. Size 147 x 110 cms., or 4ft. 10 ins. x 3ft. 7 inches. Euros 380.

CLOSE UP OF A BORDER SECTION showing both floral designs and colours typical of 19th century rugs from the area of Melas, Megri (now called Fetiyhe since 1920) and the whole Bodrum region of south west Anatolia.

A VERY RARE RUG FROM THE ALPUJARRAS MOUNTAIN RANGE IN SOUTHERN SPAIN, DATED 1870. This piece was initially thought to be from the villages of the Arraiolos region of southern Portugal. Intensive research has shown that, although the two places are only a 5 hour journey apart, the rugs from the Alpujarras have a very different structure. The looped pile which this rug has was only used from the 15/16th century until the end of the 19th. Thus, very few ever appear and we found only 15 examples for sale internationally today. It is woven in two matching pieces and the original fine strong linen used to stitch them together is still present

CLOSE UP of the centre shows an ornate pot filled with flowers. There are ducks in the garden and mythical beasts towards the bottom and top. Reference 3557. Size, 208 x 176 cms., or 7ft. x 5ft. 10 inches. Euros 1450.

THE WORDING FOR THE AGE OF 1870 in Spanish reads "Sixth year of 1870". It may be that it was finished in the sixth month -- June -- of 1870, or it could mean the 6th year of the 1870`s and is therefore 1876.

The weaver`s name is shown as Manuela and is followed by the word "Mesonero" which is an archaic Spanish name for an Innkeeper.