Caucasian Oriental Rugs

Caucasian Oriental Rugs Related Information:

Caucasian Oriental rugs are another classification of Oriental rugs according to their origin of production. Caucasian rugs have designs that are geometric or abstract. There are many regions that make Caucasian Oriental rugs, the more famous ones being Kazak, Baku, Daghestan, Karabagh, and Talish.

All Caucasian Oriental rugs are made using the symmetrical or Turkish knot, also known as the Giordes knot. The Kazak Oriental rugs are not made in Kazakstan as is believed by many, but is produced in a region in modern day Armenia.

As was the case with most Oriental rugs of old, even the older Caucasian Oriental rugs are made of natural dyed threads. The vibrant colors, and the amount of selvages, have often been used to determine which area the Caucasian rugs were made in.

Most Oriental rugs used wool for the knots but not generally for the warp and weft threads. But most of the older Caucasian Oriental rugs have the distinction of being made entirely of wool. The knotted piles as well as the warp and weft threads of such Caucasian Oriental rugs are made from hand-spun wool.

One can see the use of cotton warp and weft threads along with wool pile in the newer versions of Caucasian Oriental rugs and also in some of the older rugs. Sometimes goat hair was also used for the warp threads in making Caucasian Oriental rugs, but it has never been known to be used in the making of the pile.

Some Types of Caucasian Oriental Rugs

Kazak Rugs: These types of Caucasian Oriental rugs are often known by other names such as Karaklis, Shulaver, Karachov, Bordjalou, and Lambalo. These Kazak rugs are among the most popular and famous Caucasian rugs available all over the world. These rugs are not known to have all over designs, but are typically characterized by big and distinct line of three medallions or one large central medallion.

Baku Rugs: Also include the Chila rugs, Kuba, and Sirahani rugs. These types of Caucasian Oriental rugs are mainly designed with one or more octagons in steppes, which are then surrounded by fields of Botehs or carnations. Main colors used in making Baku Caucasian rugs are ivory and blue.

Akstafa Rugs: These Caucasian Oriental rugs are made in a part of Azerbaijan, which is one of the best sources of new Caucasian Oriental rugs. The use of bird like patterns typifies these types of Oriental rugs. The bird usually has a long neck, peacock tails, and wide set feet, which is not reminiscent of any actual bird and thus the term ‘bird like’.

Cheleberd Rugs: These Oriental rugs are made by Armenians and the most common design used in these rugs is that of a flaming or sunburst cross, showing the Christian origins of their makers. The use of fishbone and crab designs in the borders of these types of Caucasian Oriental rugs is common.

Karabagh Rugs: These rugs, especially the ones made after the 19 th century, have designs that are inspired by the European needs. A typical design on a Muslim prayer rug is known to be that of a cross, which is a very rare thing indeed. These rugs can be found in the super fine quality as well as in a very coarse quality. Green, yellow, violet, and pink are the colors commonly seen in Karabagh rugs.

Shirvan Rugs: This is one of the chief areas of Caucasus, as far as producing Oriental rugs is concerned. Some of the best and finest Caucasian rugs are known to come from the Shirvan region. It is very rare, if not impossible, to find a coarse Shirvan rug. Cotton and silk warp threads are commonly used in the making of these Oriental rugs.