Armenian Rugs

There was once again a country named Armenia, the capitol is Erevan. The Armenian people have been significant weavers since time immemorial. The Armenian people converted to Christianity in circa 303 AD by Gregory the Illuminator. By being a distinctly Christian people in in far western Asia the Armenians have been a people unto themselves and have developed a wonderfully distinct culture that blends the best of east and west.

Erivan Rug circa 1910-20

South Caucasus about 1910-20, 6ft.4in. x 4ft. 2in. 1.93m. x 1.27m.

Very slight even wear overall, slight colour run in places.

Armenian Erivan Rug, Karagashli Derivative

Armenia South Caucasus, early 20th century, 5ft.3in. x 3ft.2in. 1.60m. x 0.97m

Armenian Kazak Double Niche Prayer Rug

Type: Kazak Rug

Origin: Armenia

Circa: 1850-80

Category: Caucasian rugs

Length: 99 inches / 252 cms

Width: 67 inches / 171 cms

Other Info: Mint condition

Armenian rug, Karabakh or Erivan

South Caucasus about 1900, 7ft. 7in. x 5ft.3in. 2.31m. x 1.60m.

Very slight even wear, damage upper and center left field, damage and losses to base.

Armenian Erivan Rug

Armenia, south Caucasus early 20th century, 4ft.9in. x 4ft.3in. 1.45m. x 1.30m.

Small area of wear in lower border.

Erivan Rug, Early 20th Century

South Caucasus, early 20th century, 5ft.1in. x 3ft.9in. 1.55m. x 1.14m.

Inscribed 1903 Armenian "Akstafa" Carpet

Inscribed Armenian Carpet

This rug is the product of an Armenian weaver in Karabagh in 1903. I say that because the rug is what we would call Karabagh. The date is obvious because the rug bears that date. The Armenian attribution is due to the date written as 1903. Eiland in Weavers, Merchants and Kings, Inscribed Rugs from Armenia makes a convincing argument for an Armenian Attribution for this type of rug. James "Uncle Jimmy" M. Keshishian concurs in his book Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear. Of course Max and I took this rug down to Uncle Jimmy and he called this "definitely Armenian" and he compared it to plate A-169 in his Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear.

Armenian Rug Akstafa Variant. Karabagh, 1903. 4 foot 7 inch by 7 foot.

Structure: Symmetrical knot. 6.5 knots per horizontal inch and 6.5 knots per vertical inch. 42 per square inch (651 per square decimeter).

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 3 ply wool, white.

Weft: 2 ply wool, red.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Reduced each end, warp fringe.

Selvages: Originally 3 cord selvage wrapped in red wool, repaired in places.

Further Notes: 96 year old rug that has vast collectable and ethnographic significance. Worn, old repairs do not even consider this rug for floor use.

Armenian Rug Akstafa Variant   Color is off in this picture and I cut off the upper left edge. Use this for pattern and see the scan above for the colors.