Antique Shirvan Rug, East Caucasus, Ca 1875

This truly exceptional Antique Shirvan Runner Rug is a rare and historically significant textile from the East Caucasus, dating to circa 1875. Measuring 133 x 277 cm (approx. 4'4" x 9'1"), its large runner format is populated by one of the most distinctive and collectible designs of the Shirvan region: the repeated prayer niche (mihrab) or 'camekan' motif.
The design features a rich, dark indigo/navy blue field, creating a dramatic backdrop for the multiple, parallel rows of colorful, stylized prayer panels. Each panel is individually detailed with geometric symbols, creating a dazzling array of red, green, blue, yellow, and ivory. This pattern is characteristic of Shirvan's finest village weaving, often associated with the Marasali style, suggesting a communal or multiple-person prayer use, or a highly symbolic decorative purpose.
The field is enclosed by a sophisticated series of borders, including a main border of angular, repeating geometric patterns and small floral guls. Woven with a dense structure from hand-spun wool and colored with a wide spectrum of deep, lasting natural dyes, this rug is a masterpiece of complexity and color harmony. It is a very well-preserved piece of antique history, offering extraordinary visual narrative and deep collector appeal.
Key Features: Style: Shirvan (Multiple Prayer Niche/Camekan) Dating: Circa 1875 (Mid to Late 19th Century) Material: 100% Hand-Spun Wool Pile Construction: Hand-Knotted (Fine Structure) Origin: East Caucasus (Shirvan/Marasali Region, Azerbaijan) Colors: Deep Indigo/Navy Blue, Madder Red, Varied Greens, Ivory, Gold, Sky Blue Design: Repeating Rows of Stylized Mihrab/Niche Motifs, Geometric Fillers, Intricate Borders