Antique Karachov Rug, Karachov, South-Western Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2146

This is an exceptional rug from the region of Karachov in the south-western Caucasus, dated 1275 which translates to 1854 - as early a Karachov as can be found these days.
The overall talismanic design is typically Karachov with its large octagonal, central lozenge, in this case on a red ground, and two, square symbols at each end, all containing nine '8-pointed stars'. Within the central, octagonal lozenge, are various small symbols on an ivory background, which is not something readily seen in later 19th century Karachovs. Note also, the 'zigzag' lines on either side of the red ground, one longer than the other and below each line, are 'fives' or 'quincunx' - symbols of protection.
Lastly but hugely important, is the rare and early main border on an ivory background, which I see as double-headed sunbirds, symbolic guardians of the gates of Paradise.
This is a highly important and very collectible rug which is smaller in size to the later 19th century Karachovs, and in very good overall condition.
Size: 1.86m x 1.40m (6' 1" x 4' 7").
£8,500

Antique Prayer-Rug, Daghestan, Eastern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2139

This beautiful prayer-rug was made in the Daghestan region of the eastern Caucasus in 1318 in the Islamic calendar which is 1900 in our Solar calendar. It comprises an ivory-ground mihrab within a beautiful madder-red field and depicting various symbols throughout. On either side of the mihrab are two small ivory squares with the date knotted in. The powerful golden-yellow main border contains a stylised continuous vine border symbolising the eternal cycle of life. The outer green border depicts the 'birds-heads' - guardians of the gates of Paradise.
A fabulous rug in near-mint condition.
Size: 1.64m x 1.25m (5' 5" x 4' 2").
£5,500

Antique Talysh Long Rug, Talysh, South-Eastern Caucasus. ...

Item Ref
BM2118

Talysh was once part of the Safavid province of Azerbaijan and is close to Lenkoran, about 40 miles north of the Iranian border. For centuries, Talysh was inhabited by Armenians and a cathedral was built there in AD 662 by Grigor Mamikonian. Talysh rugs should therefore be attributed to Armenian weavers.
The majority of Talysh rugs have a long, narrow format with a blue central field. This one is more unusual having a natural-dye pink-red ground containing a multitude of tiny stars throughout. The main ivory border is typical of the Talyish weavings and very few Talysh rugs incorporate the 'medachyl' blue outer border with a decorated ground. A rare aspect of this beautiful rug.
The rug is in excellent condition with an evenly-low cut pile.
Size: 2.30m x 1.04m (7' 6" x 3' 5").
£4,500

Antique Chelaberd Rug, Southern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2114

The development of the Chelaberd design can be seen through a number of extant rugs as far back as the 17th century. The name 'Chelaberd' originates from a village to the south-east of Chondzoresk in the southern Caucasus.
The red ground is dominated in this case by two large sun-flowers bursting open and symbolically giving life.
This is a truly fabulous rug, made in the Chelaberd region around 1900 and looking closely, you can see stylised peacocks and quadrupeds.
In very good condition, albeit with an evenly-low cut pile, this has been reflected in the price.
Size: 2.34m x 1.62m (7' 8" x 5' 4").
£4,500

Antique Lesghi Rug, Lesghistan, Eastern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM/MA3

This beautiful little rug has three 'Lesghi stars' on a turquoise central field and is framed by five beautiful borders. Rugs made by Lesghians are more commonly found with red or blue central fields but to find turquoise, is rare. The rug, made at the end of the 19th century, is finely knotted and in very good condition albeit with a few very minor repairs on the selvedges.
Size: 1.42m x 1.04m (4' 8" x 3' 5").
£3,950

Antique Prayer-Rug, Gendje, Eastern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2094

Gendje, known as Elizabethpol under the Tzars, but today, known as Kirovabad. It is situated between the Caucasian weaving areas of Kazak, Karabagh and Shirvan.
This beautiful little Gendje prayer-rug has a few 'typical' Gendje featurs such as the diagonal motifs in the field and the interesting main border design with its conjoined octagons. The colours in the main border are simply stunning as is the very unusual, relatively plain mihrab in ivory.
Made circa 1880, the rug is in good overall condition, albeit with evenly-low pile and a few minor reweaves.
Size: 1.45m x 0.82m (4' 9" x 2' 8").
£2,800

Antique Caucasian Prayer-Rug, Shirvan Region, Eastern Caucasus. ...

Item Ref
BM2096

A wonderful little prayer-rug recently discovered on a recent trip to Istanbul.
Made in the Shirvan region of the eastern Caucasus and dated to the left side of the pointed mihrab, 1331 in the Islamic calendar, which is 1913 in the Solar calendar.
The ivory ground contains a myriad of tiny flowers with a blue pointed prayer mihrab at the top and surrounded by two main borders, one containing small stylised flowers, the other with dragon symbols.
Very finely knotted and in excellent overall condition.
Size: 1.30m x 0.86m (4' 3" x 2' 10").
£2,750

Antique Armenian Rug, Armenia.

Item Ref
BM1983

Dated 1919 and inscribed in old Armenian the word 'May', the weaver of this rare and unusual rug has used a mixture of natural red wool skeins which creates wonderful movement throughout the field. In a way, it looks like a sunrise or sunset, where the lower dark red area of the field depicts the earth and the lighter shades of red at the top shows the light of the sun either rising or sinking in the month of May!
Two quadrupeds are depicted in the lower half and below them, two birds, symbolically the cariers of the soul from the earthly world to the realms of the spirits, observing a tiny star just above them!
The powerful main border contains large 'botehs' - purported to be either pine-cones or flame symbols.
The rug has an evenly-low woollen pile but certainly strong enough to use on the floor with underlay in a quiet space.
Size: 2.53m x 1.37m (8' 4" x 4' 6").
£1,500

Antique Karachov Rug, Karachov, Kazak Mountains, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM/K1

Ranking as one of the very best of the highly collectible Karachov rugs, this magnificent rug displays a beautiful pea-green field with standard Karachov large, central, octagonal gul and two smaller guls at each end containing '8-pointed stars'. The stunning madder-red main border contains the continuous vine pattern, symbolising the eternal cycle of life.
Made in the Karachov region of the Kazak Mountains in the south-western Caucasus around 1860 -1870, the rug is in excellent overall condition albeit with good, evenly-low pile.
Size: 1.93m x 1.44m (6' 4" x 4' 9").
SOLD

Antique Karachov Rug, Kazak Mountains, South-West Caucasus. ...

Item Ref
BM/K1

This magnificent, mint condition rug was made in Karachov in the Kazak Mountains, south-west Caucasus during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The classic Karachov design in this fabulous rug has been knotted in soft, lustrous natural-dye wool. It is certainly one of the best Karachovs I've laid my eyes on.
Size: 2.80m x 1.78m (9' 2" x 5' 10").
SOLD

Antique Soumak, Kuba Region, South-Eastern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM1770

Carpets woven in the soumak technique don't come much better than this one!
Acquired from a private English house where it had been hanging on a wall for over 60 years, the overall condition is excellent. Woven in the Kuba region of the south-eastern Caucasus during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, this is an unusually large size as most soumaks made in this area were a good bit smaller. You have to look closely at the overall symbolic representation and particularly interesting is the upper-most blue lozenge with its depiction of two men standing above what might presumably be horses! Note also, horses depicted in the outer field as well as other stylised creatures and birds scattered throughout.
This is an amazing and highly collectible carpet which would provide a fantastic floor covering.
Size: 3.60m x 2.26m (11' 10" x 7' 5").
SOLD

Antique Soumak Carpet, Daghestan/Kuba Region, Eastern Caucasus. ...

Item Ref
BM2029

A magnificent large-size Soumak carpet from circa 1880 and woven in the region of Daghestan or Kuba, in the eastern Caucasus. The beautiful, saturated natural madder-red ground contains three large indigo-blue lozenges with the depiction of human figures on their own and some riding horses. The carpet is in amazing condition bar two small nicks in one of the borders, easily repairable.
This is a wonderful and highly collectible Soumak carpet which would look amazing on a wood floor.
Size: 4.10m x 2.35m (13' 6" x 7' 9").
SOLD