Museum Curated Chelaberd New “Eagle Kazak“ Handmade

About the Item

This is an exceptional rug, brand new, and made under special circumstances. Let us tell you briefly the back story. Modern day Azerbaijan with its many mountains and valleys, as in past centuries is a mosaic of different tribal peoples, isolated towns and villages with a millenia old tradition of fine weaving. Caucasian carpets as they are broadly referred to in the trade consist of at least 100 distinct styles, unique to specific villages, districts or regions. And each carpet is individual, no two are exactly alike. Caucasian carpets represent a high point in creative weaving and in quality and older examples are sought after by collectors. As in Persia (Iran) modernization across the 2Oth century often, if not always, brought about a decline in quality of carpet design and weaving quality as compared with the increasingly rare productions of the 19th century which command high prices – and are very difficult to find in a perfect condition, suitable for reasonably heavy wear – they are collector’s items. A small group of local enthusiasts aided by the government, and in liaison with the world famous (amongst rug aficionados) Azerbaijan carpet museum, Baku sought out the finest remaining village weavers and dyers to create a small quantity of original new carpets of the highest quality following and reviving tradition and honoring it. We have acquired a small number of these pieces, which are accurate renditions of their village type, as to pattern language and color, and handwoven to the very highest standards. These are each individual one of a kind pieces. This is a limited, carefully curated series. As we are collectors and dealers in 19th century and earlier Caucasian carpets, we found the purity of this pursuit to be compelling. What we noted, relevant for purchasers, is that the wool and weaving quality and density exceeds in many cases, that of the earlier productions of the 19th century: these are wonderfully strong carpets which will last 100 years, or more with heavy wear. For this project only the finest available lanolin rich wool was selected. The weavers were carefully chosen from a range of village environments around the country. Artistically, they dazzle. The colors achieve the desired mellowness of a well aged antique collectible, there is a fine hand woven quality seen in the designs and the fine hand work. Each of these rugs required between 9-12 months to weave on a hand loom. For collectors, this format is perhaps the most sought after design amongst antique Caucasian carpet lovers . Known as Chelaberds, or Eagle Kazaks, the design has been in existence since at least the 18th century , and appears –each in slightly different iterations – in usually around a 7-8 ft.x by 4-5 ft format , though we have seen a few larger examples . This piece is different as it is very nearly square, but utterly true to the form, colours, and pattern design of those woven in the 18th and 19th century . ( Quality output in the 20th century slowed and virtually disappeared ). They offer a power and exuberance of design which accounts for their popularity , though antique pieces are ever more difficult to obtain in good condition, and even severely worn, distressed pieces command high dollars in the market . It has been posited by one expert that the central medallion represents a cross and the “explosive” pattern which expands from it displays a celebration of Christ, Christianity ,or love of God as many weavers in the Caucasian regions- and in Chelaberd were Christian Armenians, within the much larger Muslim community . This is a very plausible theory , as small crosses appear in many carpets from the wider Caucasus, and are known to be of Armenian origin . Many of the finest weavers were Armenian across the region . This rendition – a unique, one off piece as all in our special museum curated collection - is new and as mentioned above, actually of a higher grade wool and more densely woven ( examine please the underside of this carpet ) than the majority of 19th century examples . Like the other pieces in this group, they are correctly described as “ antiques of the future “. One of the great achievements of this special museum supervised project, from which we were able to acquire a small number of pieces ( each an individual one off piece ; this special project was not strictly commercial in nature , and repetition never the aim ) is the successful achievement of original colours, no small feat in the 21st century . The “slate” grey green is an example as are the mellow reds and yellows . and notice the artful use of deep chocolate brown in the colour palette . Its neat nearly square size makes it an adaptable and room lifting piece of significant floor art , which will last for many generations, even under the most punishing conditions .

Dimensions:

Width: 69 in (175.26 cm)Length: 112 in (284.48 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Wool,Hand-Knotted

Place of Origin:

Azerbaijan

Period:

21st Century

Date of Manufacture:

2018

Condition:

Seller Location: