SOLD Antique Armenian Rug, Vayots Dzor

Origin: Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia, possibly the town of Malishka or nearby area.

Age: 1900-1910, ~110-120 years old

Design: Central medallion design with two floral borders surrounding a border of boteh. The main medallion and inside motifs appear to be inspired by architectural elements of nearby Noravank Monastery. Either end of the medallion features a Tau Cross. The field is ornamented with flowers (possibly lilies), stars/planets, eyes or possibly a dowry symbol (the diamonds), serpents, birds, and quincunx (like the side of a die with 5 dots, has several meanings in Christianity including the five wounds of Christ, or Christ at the center surrounded by the four corners of the earth).

Colors: All natural plant dyes. Shades of blue from Indigo (indigofera tinctoria, also known as true indigo.) Shades of 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). Orange from overdying red and yellow. Greens from overdying blue and yellow. Natural undyed ivory. Black/brown probably from dark wool also dyed with indigo and/or walnut husk.

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

Pile: All wool, of medium depth.

Knotting: Symmetrical

Condition: Good condition with excellent quality dyes and durable, lustrous highland wool. Some repairs. Most of the rug has a medium length pile with a few scattered areas of wear. Most of the left side of the rug and parts of the right side has been restored with a double cord selvage wrapped in a figure-eight with madder dyed wool. Some minimal reknotting has been done, particularly to the lower right corner, and a very small hole was repaired in the center right of the field. A few rows of knots missing on either end.