A Karabagh 'Blossom' carpet, Southeast Caucasus, 18th century

The striking, bold drawing of this kelleh relates to a group of early Caucasian weavings, known as ‘Blossom’ carpets. Among all Caucasian carpets, those with 'Blossom' designs exhibit the greatest variety of patterns and colours. The designs originated in Persia where the floral motifs would have been more organic and curvilinear. As design elements evolved and reached the Caucasus, they became more stylized and geometric. 

While there are many variations of the 'Blossom' design, the geometric rendering of the floral elements is apparent in every version. The arrangement of design elements along vertical axes in an endless pattern is also a constant feature of these carpets, including the lot offered here with its flower heads, palmettes, and leaves positioned in offset rows forming a grid-like effect. A comparable carpet to the present lot was sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 25 November 2008, lot 200 and 14 December 2006, lot 306.