Pinwheel Kazak

Mid 19th century, 249 x 166 cm, South West Caucasus

The village population of Transcaucasia upheld their traditional rug designs with great persistence. This continuity only ended with the social upheaval caused by the Russian Revolution. So-called "Pinwheel" Kazaks woven in a distinctive design – the eponymous, steel blue forms decorated with spirals to suggest a rotary movement, diagonal green abstract dragons studded with yellow crescents and white rosettes – were produced throughout the 19th century and in the early 20th century, although their quality steadily declined. Nonetheless, only a very few examples were known until circa 1980 so this Kazak type was considered particularly rare. The fact that the size of this rug group is actually far larger only became evident when the Soviet Union ceased to exist and the borders opened. – A comparison of the many examples now published reveals considerable aesthetic differences in the division of space, balance of designs, palette, knotting structure and pile wool used. This Pinwheel Kazak is a perfect classic example. The quality of the brilliant colours and the balanced composition suggest that it was produced around 1850. – Very good condition, the original finishes survive all around.

McMULLAN, JOSEPH V., Islamic Carpets. New York 1965, Nr. 53 *** KIRCHHEIM, E. HEINRICH, Orient Stars. Eine Teppichsammlung. Stuttgart & London 1993, Nr. 16 *** RIPPON BOSWELL, A 27, 07.05.1988, #116; A 43, 18.11.1995, #137 *** SPUHLER, FRIEDRICH, Die Orientteppiche im Museum für Islamische Kunst Berlin. München 1987, Nr. 108 *** HERRMANN, EBERHART, Asiatische Teppich- und Textilkunst 3. München 1991, Nr. 17