A KUBA RUG, EAST CAUCASUS, |

main border removed

Sotheby's Los Angeles, 1 June, 1981, Lot 64; Hali 4/1, Spring 1981, p.88; Edelmann's New York,12 December, 1981, Lot 260; Hali 4/3, Autumn 1982, p.307

Main border removed, otherwise overall in very good condition with pile varying from 2-3mm, and with some areas with knot bars just visible in extreme upper and lower ends of field. Minor repiling in the upper right hand crimson 'vase' shape. Very good colour with palette that includes a brownish purple, crimson, madder and pale blue. Side cords later. Rug curves slightly when laid on floor (see image).
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparable yellow-ground Kuba rugs with a design of rows of stylised shrubs as seen here are discussed in Hali 63, June 1992, Marketplace, p.134, an example sold Rippon Boswell, Wiesbaden, 28 March 1992, Lot 146, which considers them as ’post-classical’ (late 18th/early 19th century) Caucasian weavings related to earlier Anatolian rugs and to Shield carpets.  In their review of the long rug sold Grogan Dedham, 12 January 2009, lot 92 (sold for $37,375), Hali Issue 159, Spring 2009, APG, p.125,  the reviewer knew of six other rugs of this field design with stylised arabesque border, cf. Herrmann, E., Seltene Orientteppiche IX, Munich, 1987, Nr.34, p. 84.  These cited examples share the same inner crenellated border as the present lot, as does a further example sold Grogan & Co., Boston, 20 May 2012, Lot 510A (sold for $44,250), so it seems likely that the border of the lot offered here was of the arabesque type. The addition of a prayer arch is an unusual feature;  Herrmann publishes one with this field and a stepped blue arch, but within a rosette border in  Herrmann, E., Seltene Orientteppiche V, Munich, 1983,Nr.25, p.57,which is noted in Hali 159, op.cit. p.125.