Shirvan

Origin

Shirvan rugs come from the historical region of Shirvan in the eastern Caucasus, today belonging mainly to Azerbaijan. The region extended between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus mountains and was an important centre of rug knotting from the 17th into the early 20th century. The town of Shemakha counted as the main centre of production, with surrounding villages and settlements also contributing.

Characteristics

Shirvan rugs are distinguished by their characteristic geometric patterns. Typical are small repeating motifs such as stars, diamonds, and stylised animal figures. The palette is mostly muted and covers predominantly dark blues and reds, complemented by white, yellow, and brown. A particular feature is the frequent presence of animal motifs, especially stylised birds, deer, and dogs.

The borders are mostly narrow and multi-tiered, dominated by geometric bands and hook ornaments. The field frequently shows an all-over pattern of small medallions or a row of identical motifs. The knotting is relatively fine, allowing for detailed patterning.

Material and technique

Shirvan rugs are traditionally knotted from sheep's wool, with both warp and weft mostly wool. Pieces with a cotton warp are rarer. Knot density typically lies between 120,000 and 200,000 knots per square metre, placing them among the finer nomadic rugs.

The knot used is the Turkish (Ghiordes) knot. The pile is mostly sheared short to medium-long. The natural dyes give the rugs their characteristic, often slightly muted colour scheme.

Worth knowing

Shirvan rugs are often confused with Kuba rugs, since both styles come from neighbouring regions of the Caucasus and use similar motifs. Shirvan rugs are usually more finely knotted, however, and often show a greater variety of animal motifs.

Production of authentic Shirvan rugs largely ended in the 1920s due to political upheaval in the region. Original Shirvan rugs are sought-after collector pieces today. Modern reproductions are made mainly in other countries but rarely match the quality and authenticity of the historical models.