East Anatolian

This bold village rug employs soft wool and a rustic weave. Representing design features from the related border areas of eastern Anatolia, the Caucasus, and northwest Persia, this piece was most probably woven in the mountainous area of northeastern Anatolia and can be related to few analogous examples. Two eight-pointed medallions with octagon centers and one with an eight-pointed star are framed by a simple thin border. The medallions seen here are sometimes found on some of the most collectible types of South Caucasian flat-woven sumak bags and are thought by some authorities to be geometrized zoomorphic figures. In terms of design, a relationship with Shahsevan weaving seems quite plausible while the strikingly bold and tribal aesthetic seen here is very much in keeping with those found in Zakatala and Avar weaving groups from the Caucasus. Whatever their origin, the evocative star medallions of this piece are drawn splendidly, their vibrant colors intensified by a dark field.