Daghestanian Rug

It is impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of a rug of this type. Experts can only agree that this rug is from the Caucasus mountain region known as Daghestan and possibly from the village of Kuba.
The field immediately shows the rug’s wear. Close examination indicates it was originally dyed black. The method used to create black dye at the time the rug was woven involved a chemical reaction between iron sulfate and a plant extract such as mountain ash bark. This type of dye corrodes wool, and after many decades, wool dyed from such a mixture begins to disintegrate, creating an uneven or embossed texture. The oxidation inherent in this process, however, aids in determining the rug’s age.
The drawing in the elongated field demonstrates vertical, serpentine, and serrated-edged vinery, filled with abstract images including flowering shrubs and regional geometric motifs. The guard border surrounding the field consists of repeating multicolored primitive floral palmettes. The second inner and the outer framing borders are made up of slanted stripes, which create a “barber-pole” effect. Of note, there is an offset in these borders, which may intentionally honor the weaver’s belief that only God creates perfection. Crab-like forms in various colors ornament the main border.