Caucasian Rugs

The Caucasian rugs get their name from the area in which they were made – the Caucasus. The Caucasus is a region that produces distinctive rugs since the dawn of civilization and in quantities from the 19th Century. The antique Caucasian rugs are primarily produced as village and tribal pieces rather than the fine and intricate city productions. At one time it was assumed that all of the rugs in the Caucasus were woven by “Tribal” or “Nomadic” weavers. That if one bought a Lezgi Star Rug it was woven by a Lezgi weaver. Some even saw Schurmann’s classic Caucasian Carpets as a guide to the tribes of the Caucasus. Then a reversal came and it was suggested that virtually all Caucasian rugs were commercial and the patterns came from Russian Government (first Czarist then Communist) Kustar pattern books. In the 1820s the Czarist Russians divided Transcaucasia into the Russian provinces of Baku, Derbent, Sheki, Karabagh, Shirvan, Talysh, and Kuba. Riad: Caucasus. The Russians divided the region in the manner that was easiest for them to administrate and it did not necessarily follow an ethnographic approach in the division. The Czarist Russians began to solidify their hold as early as 1805 – 1820 but they did not truly control the region for many years. With the capture of the great rebel religious leader Shamyl in 1859 and the end of the rebellion in 1864 did Czarist control truly solidify regional control. In 1865 to eliminate risk of future rebellion the Russians forced 1.2 million Caucasians to move to Turkey. It is strongly suspected that areas such as Ngorno-Karabakh which were historically Muslim were depopulated and then repopulated with Armenians. As Christians, the Armenians had an easier time with the Orthodox Christian Russians.
The word Kazak probably derives from the Russian for Cossack – originally Christian Russian and Ukrainian serfs who fled from feudal landlords, and were known as vicious warriors. The rugs from the Caucasus are primarily made of materials that are (or were) particular to their tribal provinces and some of the styles that are “typical” or better known to the Caucasus region are Shriven, Dagestan, Kuba, Kazak rugs. Most older Caucasian antique tribal carpets are “all wool” – not only the knotted pile, but the warp and weft threads are usually made from hand-spun woolen yarn or goat hair. However, one can sometimes find older antique carpets (and, more frequently, in some newer examples) with cotton warps and wefts. Shriven region Oriental Rugs are noted for their wool wrap threads, but are made with cotton weft threads and selvedges. Caucasian Rugs are probably the most widely collected type of antique rugs. The strongest market for Caucasian rugs has to be Italy who appreciates these rugs for their tribal and primitive designs complimenting the classical architecture and historic buildings. The colors of the best antique (100 years old or greater) Caucasian carpets were produced exclusively from natural materials found in the respective tribal regions, with the deep greens, vibrant yellows, and deep rose tones being the most precious. The distinguishing aspect of the Caucasian carpet is its emphasis on rich and varied color. The number and colors of selvedges often can be an identifier to the area of origin. The designs and colors of antique Caucasian rugs are unique for two reasons: tradition – more deeply rooted in Asia than anywhere else, and the inherent geographic isolation. Visual balance is achieved by contrasting wildly different colors, rather than the more traditional approach of shading similar hues. While Caucasian rugs tend to feature floral designs, their depiction is usually highly stylized, abstract, and geometric. One can see the evolution of tribal rug weaving in the history of antique Caucasian carpets. All the expected motifs are present, including dragons, flowers, birds, crabs, and other animals. In later centuries, a Russian influence became more pronounced. Virtually every Caucasian rug is crafted using the symmetry of the Turkish knot.
Showing 1–30 of 332 results
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Antique Shirvan Fakhralou Prayer Rug
This Antique Shirvan Fakhralou Prayer rug is one of those rare carpets that collectors and rug enthusiasts alike will appreciate.
3’9″x5’10”
#38227Read more -
Antique Kuba Soumak Caucasian Rug
An exquisite Kuba Soumak rug was considered the best rugs of the Caucasus in their heyday. This Antique Kuba Rug is beautifully and richly colored, and they combine cryptic Caucasian symbols with exceptionally decorative motifs.
4’5″x5’9″
#38229Read more -
Antique Dokhtar e Ghazi Baluchi Prayer Rug
This important Antique Dokhtar e Ghazi Baluchi Prayer Rug featuring multiple color silk shrubs in perfect conditions woven circa 1850s.
3’10” x 5’3″
#37890Read more -
Antique Kazak Karachof (Karachov) Rug
This stoning Antique Kazak Karachov Rug is very big for its kind. It features ram’s horns and star of wisdom, box shape medallions and Christmas tree shape trees. It is woven by Armenians from south of Tbilisi.
6′ x 8′
#37887Read more -
Ziegler & Co Caucasian
Sale!$22,464.00$6,739.20Ziegler & Co Caucasian
Ziegler & Co Caucasian hand made from natural wool and organic dyes with blue background and red boarder.
8×9’9
#35815Add to cart -
Ziegler & Co Caucasian
Sale!$30,840.00$9,252.00Ziegler & Co Caucasian
Ziegler & Co Caucasian hand made from natural wool and organic dyes featuring blue background and beige boarder with unique design.
9’7 x 13’1
#35759Add to cart -
Kazak Prayer Fachralou
Kazak Prayer Fachralou hand made from natural wool and organic dyes. featuring unique design.
3’9 x 5’1
#34714Read more -
Antique Caucasian Rug
Antique Caucasian Rug featuring unique design. Hand made from natural wool and organic dyes. This Antique Caucasian Rug would make an excellent addition to contemporary design as well, making this an essential versatile design piece for any space.
3’7 x 8
#34715Read more -
Antique Shirvan
Sale!$47,900.00$14,370.00Antique Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration. But Shirvan tend to be distinguished by a larger, more supple weave.
4’1 x 4’6
#34677Add to cart -
Antique Karadagh Shield Carpet
Sale!$77,500.00$23,250.00Antique Karadagh Shield Carpet hand made from natural wool and organic dyes. This Antique Shield Karadagh rug represent the best in quality and design among the antique rug styles of the Caucasus.
3’7 x 9’9
#34688Add to cart -
Antique Kuba Rug
Sale!$15,530.00$4,659.00Antique Kuba rugs include famous chi-chi prayer rugs, large-scale blossom patterns and richly colored rugs decorated with a series of radiant medallions. Lezghi stars and Chelaberd medallions with appendages that resemble eagle’s wings or sunbursts are also produced.
3’8 x 6’8
#34651Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$27,200.00$8,160.00Antique Shirvan Rug
Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration.
4’7 x 10’3
#34643Add to cart -
Antique Kazak Rug
Sale!$7,930.00$2,379.00Kazak rugs stand out as some of the most highly-prized artistic artifacts of the Central Asian cultures and can add a touch of class and culture to a well-designed room.
3’6 x 5’2
#34633Add to cart -
Antique Kazak Rug
Sale!$23,200.00$6,960.00The antique Kazak rugs, with their beautiful vegetable dyes and tribal patterns, are among the most prized and exciting Caucasian rugs. Famed for their rich colors, assertive, geometric drawing, and bold, large scale designs, they are sought after by collectors for their rugged authenticity.
4 x 10’6
#34627Add to cart -
Antique Karajan Rug
Sale!$15,758.00$4,727.40Produced in the Karajeh, a small village near Tabriz these carpets are distinguished by their use of triple and allover medallions. Although the standard Heriz medallion is used, smaller Karajeh Persian rugs are ornamented with medallions from earlier tribal runners. Karajeh rugs use soft earth colors and use geometric patterns.
5 x 7’5
#34623Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$9,500.00$2,850.00Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration.
4’1 x 5’9
#34611Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$9,750.00$2,925.00Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration
4×4’9
#34606Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$6,895.00$2,068.50Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration
3’3 x 5’6
#34604Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$9,580.00$2,874.00Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration
3 x 4’2
#34603Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$9,500.00$2,850.00Antique Shirvan rugs are often the most sought after antique rugs from the Caucasus. Shirvan rugs were made not far from those of Kuba, which are closely related in terms of design and coloration. But Shirvan tend to be distinguished by a larger, more supple weave.
3’6 x 5’6
#34592Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$7,900.00$2,370.00Antique Shirvan Rug hand made from natural wool and organic dyes
Shirvan rugs – The historic Khanate or administrative district of Shirvan produced many highly decorative antique rugs that have a formality and stylistic complexity that is found in few rugs from the Caucasus.
4’3 x 3’8
#34573Add to cart -
Antique Kazak Rug
Sale!$17,700.00$5,310.00The antique Kazak rugs, with their beautiful vegetable dyes and tribal patterns, are among the most prized and exciting Caucasian rugs. Famed for their rich colors, assertive, geometric drawing, and bold, large scale designs, they are sought after by collectors for their rugged authenticity.
4 x 9’1
#34571Add to cart -
Antique Kazak Rug
Sale!$23,300.00$6,990.00The antique Kazak rugs, with their beautiful vegetable dyes and tribal patterns, are among the most prized and exciting Caucasian rugs. Famed for their rich colors, assertive, geometric drawing, and bold, large scale designs, they are sought after by collectors for their rugged authenticity.
4’1 x 8’6
#34570Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$7,578.00$2,273.40Antique Shirvan rugs – The historic Khanate or administrative district of Shirvan produced many highly decorative antique rugs that have a formality and stylistic complexity that is found in few rugs from the Caucasus.
3’4 x 4’9
#34563Add to cart -
Antique Kazak Rug
Sale!$7,970.00$2,391.00The antique Kazak rugs, with their beautiful vegetable dyes and tribal patterns, are among the most prized and exciting Caucasian rugs. Famed for their rich colors, assertive, geometric drawing, and bold, large scale designs, they are sought after by collectors for their rugged authenticity.
5 x 6’7
#34560Add to cart -
Antique Shirvan Rug
Sale!$65,000.00$19,500.00Shirvan rugs – The historic Khanate or administrative district of Shirvan produced many highly decorative antique rugs that have a formality and stylistic complexity that is found in few rugs from the Caucasus
3’2 x 10’8
#34558Add to cart -
Antique Chichi Rug
Sale!$11,530.00$3,459.00Antique Chichi Rug hand made from natural wool and organic dyes. Featuring unique design.
4×5’5
#34553Add to cart -
Vintage Kazak Pin Wheel
Sale!$19,680.00$5,904.00Vintage Kazak Pin Wheel hand made from natural wool and organic dyes
5×6’8
#34504Add to cart
Showing 1–30 of 332 results