second half 19th century, 221 x 141 cm, North West Persia, Azerbaijan

This Kurdish rug featuring a garden design was woven in the mountainous region surrounding Lake Urmia. The group is known as Sauj Bulag, a name derived from their old trading centre. A large tree decorated with palmettes, serrated diamonds and leaves constitutes the central axis of the mirror-image composition; the lateral spaces contain octagons and large cartouches. Drawn in brilliant and diverse colours, the designs stand out like reliefs from the corroded dark brown ground of the field. The yellow main border is embellished with a leaf and calyx vine. – Slight signs of age and wear, corroded brown, original finishes all around.