Antique Armenian Rose Karabagh (Artsakh) Rug

Origin: An Armenian village in the mountainous region of Karabagh (Artsakh), South Caucasus. A comparable example can be seen published in Murray Eiland Jr.'s PASSAGES: Inscribed Armenian Rugs plate #60 and Arthur Gregorian's Armenian Rugs from the Gregorian Collection, plate #78.

Age: First quarter of the 1900s, ~100-125 years old.

Design: An abstract floral design, sometimes called French rose, throughout two large central medallions and the main border. In a particularly Armenian flare to an otherwise European influenced design, the rose borders are decorated in a charming manner with birds and one rose on the right side features simple dragon "S" shapes. The design was supposedly popular with the high society of Russia and Iran in the 19th century, however it eventually became a prolific and more universally appreciated style. It is woven by Armenian weavers wherever they may be found across the Armenian Highlands and Persia.

Colors: All natural plant dyes. Shades of blue from Indigo (indigofera tinctoria, also known as true indigo.) Shades of red and pink 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. Natural undyed ivory. Black/brown probably from dark wool also dyed with indigo and/or walnut husk. Excellent use of dye variation (abrash) from small batch dyes.

Foundation: Natural wool warp of several colors twisted together, two shoots of tan wool weft.

Pile: Very densely knotted wool pile of superior quality, with a medium depth.

Knotting: Symmetrical

Size: 6 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 7 inches

Condition: Excellent, in an almost time capsule condition with full pile and very few signs of use. The rug was likely used as a wall hanging, preserving its condition. Only a small amount of wear to the lower flatweave and fringe and a few tiny 1 inch repairs to the double selvage cords.

Excerpt from Gregorian's book:

"Since earliest times, Armenians had considered the rose to be a symbol of Armenia. Along with the bunch of grapes and the falcon/eagle it was seen in many stylized forms, carved on ancient churches, painted in illuminated manuscripts, embossed on metalwork, embroidered on Ecclesiastical garments. The popular male name Vartan — the name of the great hero who turned back the Persian conquest in 451 AD - means rose. Thus it is not surprising that the realistic European-style rose captured the imagination of Armenian weavers and inspired a tradition that has lasted to present times."