Antique Armenian Rug, Syunik - Meghri

Origin: Syunik Province, Meghri, Armenia. A comparable example can be seen published in ARMENIAN RUGS AND CARPETS: Folk Arts Museum's Collection, plate #66. While this design is woven extensively across Armenia, the materials used were critical to placing an origin (more below.)

Age: 1880 to 1890s, ~125-145 years old.

Design: The medallion design is an ancient motif often referred to as "Memling Guls," in reference to the 15th century Flemish painter Hans Memling, who included these rugs in some of his works. The motif is an elaborate cruciform or sun cross. A stepped cross is surrounded by confronted serpent/dragon heads, contains an eternity symbol of an eight-pointed star, and within the star is a smaller version of the entire medallion. The primary border features a chalice and serrated oak leaf motif, another ancient design. Small geometric cruciforms and dragon "S" shapes are scattered through the field. The inner secondary border features a mix of stripes and small serrated leaves. A small eternity symbol is placed with a stripe on the bottom right. The outer secondary border is a common floral blossom and vine seen on many Armenian and Persian rugs.

Colors: Very earthy toned natural plant dyes. Shades of blue from Indigo (indigofera tinctoria, also known as true indigo.) Shades of red including a burnt brown-red from madder root (rubia tinctorum, or dyer’s madder). Yellow has several possible sources including pomegranate rind, onion skins, vine leaves, and weld (reseda luteola). Greens from overdying blue and yellow. Browns from walnut husk and maybe dark wool. Natural undyed ivory.

Foundation: Cotton warp and 2-3 shoots of tan, brown and black wool weft. The use of cotton warp is unique to Meghri area.

Pile: Wool of medium depth.

Knotting: Symmetrical

Size: 3 feet 2 inches by 6 feet 3 inches.

Condition: Good condition with excellent quality dyes lustrous Armenian highland wool. Slight loss to the brown outer border stripes on the top and bottom ends, which have been secured. The pile is in excellent condition for the age, with fairly deep pile and minimal areas of wear. The pile has a slight carved appearance which is due to oxidation of different dyes over more than a century.