Karabagh rug

This long oversized Karabagh carpet demonstrates the fascination in the Near East with French design in the late 19th century. Here, a Caucasian weaver has rendered a a repeat design of garlands of roses within architectural oval frames in a style that blends European neoclassical models with a more whimsical village aesthetic. This imagery, along with the pairing of rose and light green tones against a dark ground, became fashionable in the late 19th through early 20th century on both sides of the Black Sea. During this time, many of these pieces were absorbed by Russian and Eastern markets and have more recently become quite popular with contemporary designers looking to meld traditional with eclectic interiors.