Caucasian Lenkoran Wool Runner

N-118N: Caucasian Lenkoran Wool Runner
Caucasian (Lenkoran), circa 1912–13
Height 385cm, width 98cm

This runner is hand-knotted in wool and was woven in the Lenkoran region of the Caucasus, on the south-western shore of the Caspian Sea. It is dated within the field, 1331 in the Islamic calendar, corresponding to circa 1912–13.
The long central field is laid on a madder-red ground and drawn with a vertical column of medallions, the largest of them the stepped and hooked 'Lenkoran' cartouche, with a serrated blue-green surround and a central panel of stylised leaves and blossoms. Between the principal medallions run smaller octagonal and shield-shaped devices, hooked latch-motifs and angular sprays, worked in madder red, indigo blue, soft green, brown and undyed ivory. Near the lower medallion, a small woven inscription and the date are set into the ground.
The field is framed by a series of narrow guard stripes and a main border of stylised flowerheads and rosettes alternating on ivory and blue grounds. The drawing throughout retains the irregular, hand-drawn quality characteristic of tribal Caucasian weaving, and the palette is derived from natural dyes.
The runner shows signs of long use: it is worn in places, with a few small holes and losses to the pile, and the end tassels are no longer present.
$3,750