WINDOW LEFT

#36701 – “Antique” Tabriz – 9 x 12 – Afghanistan

This exquisite fine “antique” Tabriz displayed in the left hand window measures 9 x 12.  It was hand-knotted in northern Afghanistan by ethnic Turkmen and Hazara women using handspun vegetally dyed, Ghazni wool.  The natural dyes create a beautiful ‘abrash’, a variable change in color.  Achieving this level of beauty is very labor intensive.  After the knotting (a.k.a. “weaving”) these carpets  undergo an extreme finishing process.  First, they are given a heavy soap & water wash followed by a deep shearing, then a beating/dusting and finally, an “antiquing” process.  The entire process is repeated until the carpet has acquired the right look.  Because of the fine weave, this piece took close to a year to produce and employed four weavers and a handful of finishers.

The main border is surrounded by 2 duplicate guard boarders.  The guard borders are richly detailed with a floral rope composed of stars and diamonds encircling flowers, which is then enclosed by a Greek key design on one side and trefoils/pawns on the other.  The main border has rich and unusual floral designs against a background of charming floral vines.

The lovely medallion is enhanced by a rich brown field.  The main field of soft sky blue is full of branches blooming with golden flowers.  Close up or far away, this masterpiece gives a strong and gentle beauty to any room that is timeless.

WINDOW RIGHT

#36800 – Fine Kuba – 8.9 x 12.3 – Pak/Afghan

“Why do two colors, put next to each other, sing?  Can one really explain this?  No.  Just as one can never learn how to paint.”  Pablo Picasso

The playfully balanced fine Afghan Kuba displayed in the right hand window “sings!” The Kuba measures 8.9 x 12.3.  It was hand-knotted in northern Afghanistan by Hazara women using handspun vegetally dyed Ghazni wool.  This carpet was inspired by an antique Kuba design from the Causcasus.  Kuba is a small town in the southeast corner of the province of Daghestan.  A Persian fort located there is believed to have been the residence of a Khan who likely brought along his own weavers.  This may account for the Kubas having the most elaborate floral forms of all the Causcasian rugs.

The blending of graceful outlines of gold floral vines on a field of deep blue is exquisite.  The main border is reminiscent of the “stripe” of the Ladik prayer rugs where the principal motif are Rhodian lilies, and rosettes identical with Persian forms.

Interior Designer, Bruce Bierman believes that the warmth of a handmade rug offers a much needed respite from the uniformity of cold technological surroundings.  A beautiful Kebabian rug stops any room from being sterile.  Either of these carpets would breathe new life into any room!