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9
Early Dragon-Soumak
New
288 x 195 cm (9' 5" x 6' 5")
Caucasus, first half 19th century
Condition: good according to age, partially corroded dark brown, slight abrasions, several small repairs
Warp: wool, weft: wool
This outstanding Soumak impresses not only with its well-balanced design but also with its excellent color quality. The generous use of yellow and green, complemented by a more restrained application of brown, clearly sets this piece apart from later examples. By the late 19th century, Soumak carpets were produced almost exclusively in blue and red tones.
An important detail in the field design is that the lanceolate leaves - green and white in this case - are still clearly depicted as overlapping rather than appearing as rigid rods. Another feature that elevates this piece above most other Dragon Soumak carpets is the fact that the dragons, typically positioned next to the blue cartouches, are still recognizable as such here. Although familiarity with original examples aids in identification, one clue is relatively easy to spot: our dragons are depicted upside down, with their red horns visible against a yellow background. Additionally, their scales are executed in multicolored arrowhead shapes set against a white background. These colorful points recall the dragon motifs found in the so-called Sileh flatweaves. But the exceptional nature of our piece does not end there. Another reference to the 17th-century Dragon carpets can be found by carefully observing the forms to the right and left of the lower blue floral motif: these are qilin, Chinese mythological creatures that often appear alongside flaming lions in older carpets. Of the lions, however, only a small yellow-and-blue fragment remains in our carpet.
A particularly good comparison can be drawn with a Dragon carpet from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. See Charles Grant Ellis's discussion in Early Caucasian Rugs, Textile Museum, Washington, 1976.
It is interesting to note that the tradition of the grand Dragon carpets of the 17th century continued mainly in flatweaves during the 19th century. Although a few later pile-woven examples exist, most of them can clearly be recognized as copies of Soumak designs.
Estimate: € 20000 - 30000
Caucasus, first half 19th century
Condition: good according to age, partially corroded dark brown, slight abrasions, several small repairs
Warp: wool, weft: wool
This outstanding Soumak impresses not only with its well-balanced design but also with its excellent color quality. The generous use of yellow and green, complemented by a more restrained application of brown, clearly sets this piece apart from later examples. By the late 19th century, Soumak carpets were produced almost exclusively in blue and red tones.
An important detail in the field design is that the lanceolate leaves - green and white in this case - are still clearly depicted as overlapping rather than appearing as rigid rods. Another feature that elevates this piece above most other Dragon Soumak carpets is the fact that the dragons, typically positioned next to the blue cartouches, are still recognizable as such here. Although familiarity with original examples aids in identification, one clue is relatively easy to spot: our dragons are depicted upside down, with their red horns visible against a yellow background. Additionally, their scales are executed in multicolored arrowhead shapes set against a white background. These colorful points recall the dragon motifs found in the so-called Sileh flatweaves. But the exceptional nature of our piece does not end there. Another reference to the 17th-century Dragon carpets can be found by carefully observing the forms to the right and left of the lower blue floral motif: these are qilin, Chinese mythological creatures that often appear alongside flaming lions in older carpets. Of the lions, however, only a small yellow-and-blue fragment remains in our carpet.
A particularly good comparison can be drawn with a Dragon carpet from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. See Charles Grant Ellis's discussion in Early Caucasian Rugs, Textile Museum, Washington, 1976.
It is interesting to note that the tradition of the grand Dragon carpets of the 17th century continued mainly in flatweaves during the 19th century. Although a few later pile-woven examples exist, most of them can clearly be recognized as copies of Soumak designs.
Estimate: € 20000 - 30000