Caucasian rugs

Where they come from

The Caucasus is the mountain region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Its village weavers made rugs for their own homes and for sale for centuries, and the best-known antique pieces date from the 19th century.

Dealers sort Caucasian rugs by district. The southern group includes Kazak, Karabagh, Gendje, Moghan, Talish and Shirvan. The northern group includes Kuba, Dagestan and Derbend.

The main types

Kazak rugs are thick and coarsely knotted, with large, bold medallions and strong reds, blues and greens. Karabagh rugs often have deep reds and can show floral motifs borrowed from Persian weaving.

Shirvan rugs are finer and lower in pile, with small, detailed medallions or rows of stars, crosses and boteh motifs. Antique Shirvans often have a deep indigo field. Kuba rugs are among the finest Caucasian rugs and often carry allover patterns.

Many Caucasian rugs are small, often no larger than about 5 by 7 feet, because they were woven on village looms. Long, narrow runners are also common.

How they are woven

Caucasian rugs are woven with the Turkish (symmetrical) knot. The pile is wool, and the warps are often undyed wool in several natural shades. Some rugs have cotton warps or wefts.

From the 1870s, railways brought more European buyers to the region. Weaving became more commercial, and synthetic dyes came into use. Rugs made after about 1900 are often simpler and more regular in design.

Old rugs and new rugs in this style

Antique Caucasian rugs are collected around the world, and condition matters a great deal. Look for even pile, original ends and sides, and colors that have not run.

Weavers in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey now make new rugs in Caucasian designs, often sold as Kazak rugs. These can be well made with handspun wool and natural dyes, but they are new rugs and should be priced that way.

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