Dragon Soumak
279 x 185 cm (9' 2" x 6' 1")
Caucasus, second half 19th century
Condition: very good, original ends remaining, minor small repairs
Warp: wool, weft: wool

This Dragon soumak is in fine condition given its age, as the designs are made with supplementary-weft wrapping, which can wear quickly when subjected to the type of heavy use that weavings experienced in 19th-century Caucasian homes. The well-known American collector Jim Burns wrote in his book 'The Caucasus: Traditions in Weaving' (1987, p. 49): "The designs of soumaks represent the most interesting manifestation of Caucasian folk art, as more innovation, whimsy, and individuality were expressed in this medium than in pile carpets or other flatweaves." He also points out that these weavings are an important link between 18th century Caucasian carpets, of which very few examples exist, and pile carpets from the second half of the 19th century. This soumak has particularly beautiful colouring with lots of aubergine and yellow, and an unusual field design where the dragon forms have become yellow medallions. The top of the field starts to develop into medallion designs that may be the emergent forms on later Bordjalou Kazaks.