Carpet, Karachoph - Carpet - 202 cm - 135 cm - Wool on Wool - Early 20th century

This beautiful Caucasian carpet clearly belongs to the family of Karachoph (or Karachop, Karatchopf, Karachov) carpets, which are characterized, among others, by an octagonal central medallion inscribed in a square (Sabahi, 2007) . The central medallion contains a main secondary, again octagonal medallion. Horizontal hooks extend from the border of the main medallion to the inner one, and from the latter to the former. The inner medallion contains further hooks. According to Sabahi (2007) , these carpet were produced in eastern Georgia but were and are still produced in northern Armenia. These carpets are known in the market from the late eighteen century (Levi Moheban , 2015: 282) and rare example of Christian […] dates appear [in these rugs] from the early nineteenth century onward (Levi Moheban , 2015: 283) . This rare specimen is clearly dated 1902 [top left corner, see photos] and shows a deep brick red ground and a main blue border. The central octagon is dark blue and contains a main inner red octagon (same deep brick red as the main ground, with a latchhook center) , two smaller octagons that are pink and four, even smaller octagons that show changes in colour. Four blue "electric" medallions (sometimes called Karagashli medallions; not to be confused with Karagashli carpets) float on the red ground. They contain a central square hosting a number or circles that despite non being concentric somewhat recall the slightly later (1913) , renowned painting by Wassily Kandinsky called Farbstudie - Quadrate und konzentrische Ringe. Six horizontally placed, stylized flowers depart from the central square of the “electric” medallions. There are two borders. The inner, small one has an unusual pattern of red “chain” regularly hosting colourful “diamonds” on a blue ground. The outer, main border is a pure ram's horns border (kotchak border) with a blue background. Curiously, the two lateral segments of the border display a chain of polychrome ram's horns (green, pink, blue, red) , whereas the upper and lower border segments host 13 double-ram's horns. Warp (undyed pale brown yarn, 3S) , weft (2 passages) and pile are made of wool. The pile has a luminous wool and the “electric” medallions have surprisingly deep, glowing blues with a enchanting abrash that is visible playing a little with light. There are some scattered minor repairs, some blue stains visible only on the back, and the selvages were rebound [see photos] . The carpet is clean and tidy. It belonged to a German collection and since purchased by the current owner has never been used. In conclusion, this carpet has a general pattern that is simpler than those of some earlier, complex, and high priced Karachoph carpets, but has a unique equilibrium and a strong character imparted by its exquisite sobriety. References: LEVI MOHEBAN A. , 2015. The encyclopedia of antique carpets: twenty-five centuries of weaving. Princeton Architectural Press, 672 pp. SABAHI T. , 2007. L’arte del tappeto d’Oriente. Mondadori Electa, Milano, 636 pp.