A Bordjalou Kazak rug, Southwest Caucasus

Sotheby's New York, April 7, 1999, lot 96

Pile ranges from 1/8th of an inch to low to knotheads. Areas of foldwear and oxidized dark browns. Some dark browns repiled. Some further scattered repiling, not extensive. A small 3 inch triangular reweave in upper right corner and a larger 5 inch by 6 inch L-shaped reweave to lower right corner. A 11 inch by 3 inch irregular shaped reweave to lower end of field and border of left side. Some further smaller reweaves to the same area. Minor partial end guard stripes now secured with chain stitch. Sides with original polychrome selvages with some later overcasting and abrasions. Very flexible handle, very attractive ivory field, lustrous wool. Sound fabric and condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Archaic in feeling, this rug has a freedom of expression that attests to its tribal origins. Between the abundance of idiosyncratic latchhooks, the weaver has inserted various decorative elements in a seemingly whimsical manner.  The square proportions and archaic quality of the design in this rug attest to its age in the corpus of Caucasian tribal weavings.  These characteristics are shared with a rug from the collection of Robert E. Miller published in the seminal book on these weavings, Raoul Tschebull, Kazak, New York, 1971, pl. 23, pp. 64-65.   Please refer to Eberhart Herrmann, Kaukasische Teppichkunst im 19. Jahrhundert, Munich, 1993, pl. 53, p. 69 for another ivory ground Bordjalou of similar design, though with more rectilinear proportions.