Guide to Antique Shirvan Rugs

Guide to Antique Shirvan Rugs

Shirvan Rugs are the rugs of the Azeri people. The name comes from the Shirvan Khanate which was the name of the Central Eastern lowlands of present day Azerbaijan under Persian Rule. After the Russians seized Shirvan the area kept its name for its rugs.

Shirvan rugs arenotable from this construction. They are well made even rugs with a flat back and two cord white selvages. I explore them in my Guide to Antique Shirvan Rugs

Antique Oriental Rugs - Shirvan Caucasian

Click for High Resolution Image of Antique Shirvan Rug 45271

Shirvan, Caucasus, Circa 1900 - Vibrant colors and detailed symbolic motifs decorate the splendid sapphire blue field of this antique Caucasian rug from Shirvan. Serrated tone-on-tone latticework patterns defined by contrasting ruby red outlines crisscross the strong blue field. Small-scale protection symbols rendered in clear white are cleverly tucked into the detailed allover pattern. Colorful primary borders decorated with a bold floral pattern are paired with vibrant secondary borders decorated with juxtaposed stripes placed at offset angles. Detailed rosettes each bordered with secondary outlines decorate the obscure main borders, which feature colorful rosettes surrounded by angular vinescrolls and stacked berekets that link the vibrant Caucasian color palette, which includes saffron yellow, blue and red paired with clear white accents.