Guide to Harshang Shirvan Rugs & Carpets
Examples:
Shirvan Harshang Rug
Origin: Northeast Caucasus, late 19th century
Measurements: 5ft. 5in. by 3ft. 9in. (1.65 by 1.14m.)
Condition: Oxidized charcoals, repiling, partial end guard stripe.
Four Harshang Derivative Village Rugs
Rug 1
Origin: Transcaucasian rug, circa 1800
Size: 4ft.3in. x 7ft.4in. (1.30m x 2.24m)
Rug 2
Origin: South Caucasian, circa 1800
Size: 3ft.2in. x 6ft.3in. (0.97m x 1.91m)
Pile: Wool symmetrical knot V9 H7 63 per sq. in.
Warp: Wool, natural brown, ivory Z4S, very irregular offset from 10° to as much 30°
Weft: Cotton, ivory, ranges considerably in thickness, 2 shoots.
Rug 3
Origin: Northwestern Iran or Southern Caucasus, circa 1800 or earlier
Size: 4ft.8in. x 7ft.4in.
Warp: Wool, ivory, Z2S, level
Weft: Red wool , Z2S
Pile: Wool, 2Z spun strand
Knot: Symmetrical, V10 H 8 80/sq. inch.
Handle: Flexible
Description: A small number of rugs of this type are known, of which this is probably the oldest. They are clearly derived from Safavid carpet, yet have features that reappear in further abstracted forms throughout Northwestern Iran and the Caucasus.
Rug 4
Origin: Eastern Caucasus or Northwest Persia, early 19th century
Size: 139cm x 243cm
Description: A particular descendant of the classical Harshang design. The palette of rich, powerful colors, including the reddish golden yellow field and a green tending towards olive, is of special note.
Mid-19th C. Azerbaijan "Harshang" Rug
Origin: An Azerbaijan long rug, South Caucasus, mid-19th century
Measurements: 10ft. 6in. by 4ft. 10in. (3.20 by 1.47m.)
Condition: Oxidized charcoals, repiling, reselvaged, rewoven end guard stripes, small reweaves along edges.
Description: The development of the harshang design, from its formalized and multi-planed origins in the large scale Caucasian "Floral" carpets of the 18th century to the relatively naive and asymmetric rendering of mid-19th century village weavings such as this, demonstrates both the timelessness and adaptability of the design. Here the drawing is exuberant and vivacious, the subtlety of the underlying grid system of vinery in the 18th century prototype is much more apparent, and the delicate curvilinear quality of the palmettes and split leaves are interpreted in an angular and dramatic fashion with the focus firmly established on a central column of three bold rosettes. The relationship between border and field has become more integral with the border now acting as a dynamic motif rather than a mere framing device.
Yellow Ground Harshang Long Rug
Date: 18th Century
Condition: Rewoven ends and minor reweaves to field.
Size: 13ft. 5in. by 3ft. 6in. (4.09m. by 1.07m.)
Warp: Wool, Z2S, alternate warp strongly depressed, ivory / brown mix
Weft: Wool, 2Z, 2 shoots ivory / brown mix
Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot
Density: 8-9 horizontal, 8-9 vertical
Sides: Not original
Ends: Not original
Colors: Pale to deep rose, medium to deep blue, camel, taupe, English tan, bamboo, teal blue, acorn, bisque, seal brown, pale salmon, sand, black.
Shirvan Harshang Rug
Origin: Northeast Caucasus, late 19th century
Measurements: 5ft. 5in. by 3ft. 9in. (1.65 by 1.14m.)
Condition: Oxidized charcoals, repiling, partial end guard stripe.
Four Harshang Derivative Village Rugs
Rug 1
Origin: Transcaucasian rug, circa 1800
Size: 4ft.3in. x 7ft.4in. (1.30m x 2.24m)
Rug 2
Origin: South Caucasian, circa 1800
Size: 3ft.2in. x 6ft.3in. (0.97m x 1.91m)
Pile: Wool symmetrical knot V9 H7 63 per sq. in.
Warp: Wool, natural brown, ivory Z4S, very irregular offset from 10° to as much 30°
Weft: Cotton, ivory, ranges considerably in thickness, 2 shoots.
Rug 3
Origin: Northwestern Iran or Southern Caucasus, circa 1800 or earlier
Size: 4ft.8in. x 7ft.4in.
Warp: Wool, ivory, Z2S, level
Weft: Red wool , Z2S
Pile: Wool, 2Z spun strand
Knot: Symmetrical, V10 H 8 80/sq. inch.
Handle: Flexible
Description: A small number of rugs of this type are known, of which this is probably the oldest. They are clearly derived from Safavid carpet, yet have features that reappear in further abstracted forms throughout Northwestern Iran and the Caucasus.
Rug 4
Origin: Eastern Caucasus or Northwest Persia, early 19th century
Size: 139cm x 243cm
Description: A particular descendant of the classical Harshang design. The palette of rich, powerful colors, including the reddish golden yellow field and a green tending towards olive, is of special note.
Mid-19th C. Azerbaijan "Harshang" Rug
Origin: An Azerbaijan long rug, South Caucasus, mid-19th century
Measurements: 10ft. 6in. by 4ft. 10in. (3.20 by 1.47m.)
Condition: Oxidized charcoals, repiling, reselvaged, rewoven end guard stripes, small reweaves along edges.
Description: The development of the harshang design, from its formalized and multi-planed origins in the large scale Caucasian "Floral" carpets of the 18th century to the relatively naive and asymmetric rendering of mid-19th century village weavings such as this, demonstrates both the timelessness and adaptability of the design. Here the drawing is exuberant and vivacious, the subtlety of the underlying grid system of vinery in the 18th century prototype is much more apparent, and the delicate curvilinear quality of the palmettes and split leaves are interpreted in an angular and dramatic fashion with the focus firmly established on a central column of three bold rosettes. The relationship between border and field has become more integral with the border now acting as a dynamic motif rather than a mere framing device.
Yellow Ground Harshang Long Rug
Date: 18th Century
Condition: Rewoven ends and minor reweaves to field.
Size: 13ft. 5in. by 3ft. 6in. (4.09m. by 1.07m.)
Warp: Wool, Z2S, alternate warp strongly depressed, ivory / brown mix
Weft: Wool, 2Z, 2 shoots ivory / brown mix
Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot
Density: 8-9 horizontal, 8-9 vertical
Sides: Not original
Ends: Not original
Colors: Pale to deep rose, medium to deep blue, camel, taupe, English tan, bamboo, teal blue, acorn, bisque, seal brown, pale salmon, sand, black.