Google tells us that "Afshan" is a Persian word,meaning to sprinkle or to smooth out.Exactly what the Russian scholar Kerimov had in mind when he thus named an important group of carpets is not clear.Perhaps it is a traditional expression in the Caucasus.However, the origins of the design are to be found in Safavid Iran.The large medallion carpets from NW Persia can be taken as a starting point.A pronounced split-leaf palmette terminates the endless coiling vines in Chris Alexander`s piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZGSrYE64NMhRueYRzl51AWkwyCUU0PQXtWs7eSnCT9AmD0oWdIfJ4zAUi0yjd2HQlVaWVFeLiuNUlvRI7mmu9txDNToiy8nqBx8zlk_sqqvct7c4BGW-tfYjuHILpTlATWpXsYcf6E4Q/s1600/2-Alexander-+Ganzhorn+379-514.jpg) |
420 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWqrdoENg-Fj8SnjtFOPsl0vTs7iu4HGp9mmSyuz7nOggkSqHnNvmD2etqnndh2K0CP1ddc06t8zfxeS2MMKy7S-780yzBVoDaZZb_Gn__BwCI_SkPf08nHDEI2oZ5F_XJnX_ocEDC70I/s1600/1-Alexander+Tabriz+Lefevre+5.jpg) |
421 |
This is one of a number of carpets to feature scrolling vines with split-leaf in the field;other examples employ the split-leaf within the medallion.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwn-rt2wlrzg5ri9PZh2gY3-luRaHACyVrWJ-zPFrvVuQUtzaKw-GAj5HRNZsT-eljcK4vgmZWM7lv2rG1XZiM_JP9PutW3gpUv7JKEuxQHvBmwXUV8y7mkY9zaBJFtL1rFvhyphenhyphen4N6FLNY/s1600/4-Christies+1994+copy.tif) |
422 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-9czjG50iZJ4ysP-8i0tko-7-Ra2Jgvd0doKKyP6i4EbH8vJk38Q0FrLDYDF-1yn37l_1k7ELIGscFtzUhu0tA8IQ8Pa0wlYh3e40wmfqCcUIkZBw8L47SFU4kQJxyRJLUPWNiTn25YK/s1600/3-Beauvais+carpets+2590.png) |
423-Beauvais Carpets |
An outstanding carpet now in the Gulbenkian Museum (via the MAK in Vienna) is said to have once belonged to Charles V.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4LqJf3cPPVcIfA-yb6S6GEcScrnCJmaJa_fkoOz_x8ui5qoO-NwlfnELklF2sMHf4a_FfqjMjlZWfTjdUnlxh2x9QS_flkmMdD5ItwTRCndMl18jhN3jW5g6yP-w1icgmhG0TqbQ26zf/s1600/5-Gulbenkian+tabriz+medalli.tif.jpg) |
424 |
Discussing the Schwarzenberg carpet in his notes to F.R Martin(202),C.G Ellis describes it as a 17th century Kurdistan or Khorasan carpet,with jufti knotting.It was a daring move to integrate arabesque split-leaf palmettes within the Emperor`s Carpet layout.The field is thus extremely full,heightened by an even more energetic frame.A second carpet,once with the Textile Gallery,repeats the Afshan design in the border.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErfgqXRQ9whIa7hzW5BvBmnp-VyMNQjYkmDRZYyZAkk1BZd3Jo-TBG8pZEzTapJ5CgfuIMq8vqeHc5jDjaww871P-q3KLhqIm5Qe1qPzU9o48NCALThBgwErjnEQTFLI1rZPVdxvIQYS2/s1600/8-Schwarzenberg+Wien+1895.jpg) |
425 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbskSDyMJhek8MzGCMRX4K07Jtz84gOE0QfynoRWay4AfOacK7uWusJf84HjTnPw8MYttEw2qnQP2CQwQuMnD3Le44-Rlqhk5MDVCoXP4AItJpOMJf9tapkI9h4prXHl0qjrOFybpVs4jp/s1600/6-Herat+Soth+Islam+10-82-29.jpg) |
426 |
A small fragment in the Keir Collections is perhaps part of the above.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4y03BsIeAJA5wc87A4TcBf7Ovdb_BMBfjsFGxHoKwWswvW_oz-fy5iZrPjlkI1bsdPruMl4B0IeLlIr9PCO9ez1U3UiyP3c3OgPuXmvbuJ-LjckCTCf5YVMhriGUduaPx2O3Uq6R7jrWu/s1600/7-Korasan+frag+Keir2+T29.jpg) |
427 |
Dismissed as a later piece by the Berlin carpet authorities,the Sarre/Bode example is still a textbook rug with Split and Angular palmettes.But the vine-scrolls are thick and awkward,the border stiff and overly symmetric.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQQka6GYxRl3VnASsc61Kl9vvQ9Q-eOGrqawW9fHabSb55aJ9DJ5UsVANTQG47jdef4FMVj4pyy5MNrqg22bGe9l44MoWGKB8zQWp0wZpsG0vjMGgH_geFajPfCr6rX_80Fb9QGb6A97E/s1600/9-Spiral+arabesque+sarre+berlin+H.69-91+copy.jpg) |
428 |
Writing in Hali 104,Murray Eiland traced the Afshan design back to a carpet now existing only in fragments scattered through various collections,but this interesting variation is surely not as old as the preceeding Khorasan carpets,whence the impetus came.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sDhBS3sUJPPA-86hu-3zMhckD2UUsepoDYcMJ9ra_mbj8m4qwhwv5S4GHJzfsA1lxZ1qhgm-MWyTL1IFRvl2dX1v3pmlkjT1eSCBcyB9NuPrqZpXLNfvreYt6MYXBWn3R350hpaCRY6H/s1600/1-TM+Keir+Austria1.jpg) |
429 |
A large portion of this carpet is in the Keir Collection,a smaller piece in the TM,a third in an Austrian Collection.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyH8EtTYgUlfv9_zajfX3_Rg4a8UfJ5QMjRMSdrbjOCMZlcVjFJ0zoKbkd8S3iWiyyzLB476hgmVcOLUu4Ckw-kcn5dsCx_Ish2h-y2hyphenhyphen6ZZxgjEShOjKxnUsDy4a5xi-WS6su2ts-aZ9/s1600/1-TM+Keir+Austria2.jpg) |
430 |
Another strange carpet with Indian and Persian features was recently auctioned at Sothebys New York where it brought $112,500.Are those traces of jufti knotting in the blue ground of the border?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZFNJuj6XzrWxxS9dsH-b2LsCHl40xg2R6R-zA_G5Mxv8yK9Cu0ahPaoB5VzInHMwHHsWuIVkJx6aP0N0YN3VitlBeXbg-SLzQ6DGiplZbGlXBwoPD6US8gZ1BgTuYimWqUKBfHLyGbX9/s1600/1-Beauvais+medallion+lotus.jpg) |
431 |
Two carpets which could be(and have been)mistaken for Caucasian products,are almost certainly East Persian.Probably 18th century,i.e thus making them the contemporaries of their Caucasian descendents.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpwtWe5dL-BAknEyl_2pVp25IZg0Nl7wtfOloG7i9MurB-G7Uvm5C8GUDWGbquotXUF9O9GPKtV65qNWZXxh6Q-ChakPjxZ-tVvRpb0nSPJou51SU_aay5r7QD2JbUV85X_pRyaHKnvTr/s1600/1-Bardini-Schurmann-Levi.jpg) |
432 |
A carpet lately identified as Khorasan work also has a twin,once in the Istanbul market,and illustrated by Erdmann.A very fine and delicate Afshan pattern surrounded by a border of large palmette cabbages.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd-VAax0VFiEZZffDaWcwgMODgIQvmJo4CZko3SdwDvgCjCJJpaAApi6uFNWTTl9Qc2yrfFEa3X1zUsMHTCif-SpNOkS3t4nD3kZvbIXL3GDDkQ0zhgAApvN168pMjnajSQV5altivESZ/s1600/1-Evkaf+christies.jpg) |
433 |
The main body of 18th century Caucasian carpets with the Afshan design consist of a group of large,robustly made artefacts on red or blue grounds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhmLCaB9HCE1Pf5ObHvihl3AyrRChAvNECe20cGYSKPyLKV1Hw7ptd6JR3qK8C5gexbKR8loBjCtpluzmeMsrOenuosEVndxLOZgFeo_vyWPBsmkLVk4zInEHoVxrAZucDAKiOYaBorZA/s1600/+FRAGS.jpg) |
434 |
The design of stiff palmettes,split-leaves and medallions could be extended to any size.A meander border was often favoured.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3ap-lqNQ7tBbYNpgooboqh8AJqjkiJulWDJlxFKglBmtI8V7m0BdTkoqM_xndqkHdTuLtriFAGmebE7PWhLi0p_myFAf9NNmr5ELNUXiQwqDZZbadWnWQQVKMRA_pBaH1uz3J5X4RIFV/s1600/1-connected+meander+border-Lotus.jpg) |
435 |
Many were found in mosques,but others wandered abroad to such exotic places as Hackwood Park.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kxaDMcCgSRXQiCvq9Etxum04uJ0KB4LNycgLq_xwzHc2qCILt2wNrjvhXie8IG6UGzHcHyhfBU9wf2Sz6vzzN7rbZFOe3DYvimtcTfayzEyv5rqmbRY-GzwDPPhGgxyTjEYLwIBWBRXS/s1600/2-Connected+flower+border-lotus.jpg) |
436 |
The Trefoil border is default,a borrowing from the Polonaise silk rugs of a century before. The Christies item had a green ground.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPjuy2iUjK1vkNBPZvUIu72cljpSifL1qvUAxmYx4AUjBKXUrksHy71gm7sJJ4Wp2s60Ueh290Lm7WPoiNGTmaHgaqKFyA9jrT6-2bkNWUQZf0j3e38aUCQpH-zN4J6zFAi1aQW7pgBlD/s1600/3-Trefoil+border+1.jpg) |
437 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y3PSBZ7Jm5FIwPbLwxQqsT51umdvnNXMl_dUZ-Flbltbl6b8Arr2fOxfj_xVHgahFfpTKl2Us4zAh_2AQedndFtTUmJc9Y6gtQVhkIkn8K2iMKoSTSI9jPfIWhGnpQKKqNBCO-qy1Ehn/s1600/4-Trefoil+border-Lotus.jpg) |
438 |
Full of lotuses,one manufacture boasted a large-medallion border design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnSBrFV7AwFgBJnKOSl2A-QfVimaCcBiJzvER0F4WwvBjpi2g8Z_62Q_ObiZveOjnHkDbsHBdyKnS-Tge3DcqyoKn-Ej5O5A7uOnAPXkr_dFzh-uPJwUdhDJq7yRRNn_hx41hBZiw3tvp/s1600/4a-JT+Medalli+border+frag+saunder.jpg) |
439 |
To our modern eyes,open and relaxed layouts are the most appealing,but this was not always so.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjrUMk66iCBJNLbA3zsW3M8nFU9Z9rN2yllRP9OaRoi_l-CumR3yJ2ZFMDRaILTXDq51QidN01adIdnxbu_wDDL6jiouQdv8VjyUral0zrr_F-ZuHSuEHMAJHrU77KB7KyYl6ZyPgaI_4/s1600/4b-medallion+borders-Lotus1.jpg) |
440 |
A fragment was at Freemans in 2012.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HJonxMxcrfbuB8mQYrTwK0fcd8Q4gxVfl9bSDyEgvYpwulwdZM7I7RozdvVBPmqxVqzZyMWBt_MqdMzvPQu2A4ltyi8O2xf4Qo1bfbiCHXZ-zXL7o48OfOvT3qkCXti4MTrRj4w09S4v/s1600/4c-Avshan-Freemans+23.5.12-790.jpg) |
441 |
The Karagashli Göl was sometimes employed as a simple repeat.Most of these pieces were found in Turkish Mosques,but one did surface at Christies in 1985.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyZdEQec2uvQnLHRTjinYGgiQNy8V8m2l3MLHJZN6Ougzv7s-Wf-3dPnY4mxNQKdFTqblFFFS02x7Co_Qiz4_O4TRLeF27w_xwhyphenhyphen7DdlHOT_qWot9UGK9SAqrIoz67gi1SgXA73F8mABo/s1600/5-Avshan+allover+medallions-Lotus.jpg) |
442 |
Two carpets at the AAA in 1914 testify to an ongoing degeneration,which appears whimsical to Western eyes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUpr1P7NWYJzO9fJKM68CEnqS1xc6zcDIDFlCb2pMAaxn0dmgJ5LUk93YKYAdYojC4e9rYIGouEQ8L2mWQvBORctbIr-9n2hmJjIHoKWCaMeIVBg2nyIp9C0U1MfdWb30eBVEjCZbFPMX/s1600/6-+Avshan+allover+medallions-Lotus1.jpg) |
443 |
An example with rare (Turkish)border was sold at Sothebys on 22 September 1993(102)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbzd-UmXRWRteDCQZpC6PI-poH0_Frx49VphNlRB3kGMYMu8l6XkZPK72DFz2_o98tiuKIAgyNCuQtn0jJkSxr66ixfVcL_S6jadbcPXRXZQSg1V-e-uma2LGhZ-mHcozNsAQHlgeq3Sy/s1600/7-Avshan-Sothebys+22.9.1993-102.jpg) |
444 |
Another Sothebys item(18 October 1995,227)tried out a late RGF border on a narrow field.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUVbLleDxxwDKqf51Vv9DC8vPW2nGVGsmWzpt-MVY1UNzUG-fh5Vf3wrEyTJQMomBJvp89QDOHAAikJ1aggBuG9mIUFNq4SDbF0_xpZptFhQfPBLuIflhhmN35gdP3ZtH7S6vsc4XJkib/s1600/9-Avshan-sothebys+18.10.1995-227.jpg) |
445 |
An example in the Dixon Collection has a rare arabesque border and large medallion with arms akimbo,recalling the great Tabriz Medallion Carpets.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL6INUCC5EbjeRaZ_CKMi9lH499BMmo9yoTEXwg_f13ggtS3YDoAHJdc66Y9W27t3tnz5Pjeq_li1eM3H3snHKXRnylhfo8oceWC3Zrfi-qK06IzSF0SrbSpm5OBJqE7uemQZwL8ovscm/s1600/10-Eiland+Medallion+Afshan.tif) |
446 |
An exciting example with rare border is in a Californian Collection.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAbngNUr0A9cjI0PIwoCHdWGDOIEHsg2e7vxqzItDchYSI8FIfXIrkzXfDoN8LJC1JANi62ja13KrKEnBViOd_saLBY5fPvpAyxLCuIS548XTffMmLxwZ8PW8ppDT9AXRyKo7ufq2GG8c/s1600/11-Calif.Avshan+1.jpg) |
447-See Hali 104 |
Yet another variation eliminates the Karagashli Göl Medallions in favour of an elegant and sleek allover design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI2TNJWQVewTqsWJOUGYwltqcpuvC5zBBA5v6CsK6U3c8GOpBXDcR2XUs7ocn5ELsM3VOPXsKd4YHoZlfbCRMV1q9mjWJ6Fr-eElnCqlSelEi1-muT7XuHzx0p9d3S8181acl2AaU13EW/s1600/12-Eskenazi+arabesque+loop.jpg) |
448-David Sorgato |
A companion carpet is known,unfortunately fragmented and dispersed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishTQT3bqa90WEp4bnudhY0IRipE-FietxaHk-5B7J6CurAajU8yp-1Nav0gaODOoSVyeotf7c0tebJwll_w85C8dXqwVUYkBJBhZZXwjKRMbuXql5ajeyg4yImYJZMcZoGwDL4Tkyd_nQ/s1600/13-Eskenazi+Timmerman+Avshan+frag.jpg) |
449 |
A number of other pieces are also red ground.One at the Kevorkian Sale in the sixties exhibited the simplified Bacri border.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUWbzZkusg2ehHLAIHAqnoFcZJ-nM_PAN5bwZuX3ihFPnuSQYw3zM7o5PVpekJIHOzBU9I4RQzOsqg9bAK5VmxneRW0koSEI6LVxILs46NjkMxucZTn9o-n0RbvJTIlFNuHLfACgOVJfe/s1600/14-Avshan+kevorkian+7+copy.jpg) |
450 |
Otherwise Trefoil borders were de rigeur.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheimsi9yIU0dVsYbtpf3gaI1ni-lBWDZITEU4bstmZPSYqr44quj-IShab2toV1BcMze7br0jkaRcqjW-v4lE2DAOGfEcVX1sasVQjuFhc4_aPfK7sDU4pnaI08j0AXPfn3KR-4-yf7eY0/s1600/15-Red+Ground+trefoil+border-Lotus.jpg) |
451 |
A reconfigured carpet in Philadelphia seems to wail:"The end is nigh"
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClJFEwXh6BmzoMwTinO16Oi0d15-tyjuDpwasCZFMoAkCT6fAwU9o4zhheSoKhA9BrtLLTbUTantMHB6hsA3kmx6hW7ShoRRCZ4v_n9_sQS76VL0JpEjP-zM0y3uQYr5n1HDH5PZ2t_uL/s1600/16-McIlhenny+Afshan.tif) |
452-McIlhenny Collection |
A tendency to excessive refinement is apparent in 19th century productions.For the large blueground Kelleh carpets the Kufi border from Holbein and Lotto fame was consciously adopted.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SJzK90uN-cf5VXxNw8SC_BpZj8iO6PJj4Y1YpqrrEuwRQBrdm9yIvYQoptJiydKX3CRwYdkRmP7ngEzDlPtCWCq25LiuV1AH9ABPG0ltMTo2zWrp73QQgCt9fEhyGtIha6XwFlX-AYQn/s1600/Lotto-Textile+Scha%25CC%2588tze+Bayerische+National+Museum+Cat-49.jpg) |
453-Anatolian Red Ground Floral carpet:Lotto or Lotus? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-b3LDjteh1sfi2FoTjvd538yFhGFMf0R3bc7JsnRNI_WqzKDrWnTbNHW4yiv6GZ-M8lwGV3_gwF_FrzY_cjippj2QUgIhK8AthvZ3CJCuCCNnzWUztemLWhIKlkEneDNdSuM7S2nqCWT/s1600/1-LARGE+KELLEH+KUFI+BORDER-LOTUS.jpg) |
454 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dSautOAIvbTORxCAyTfq2ym2yZOknRtiyvVbFAcJ18pgIO5hVuEnDfuFv8mbUea9qwtZlzGQq_JWSJfR63JnobeIDkXbohlhXM8hD4xK6rAhMXGd07I8sMcE7S0g36ll1DV0huA-Fi0e/s1600/2-LARGE+KELLEH+KUFI+BORDER-LOTUS1.jpg) |
455 |
The design was copied further south with a border of nesting birds-perhaps a return of the Golden Pheasants?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj416syzyv3IGmUFW7T7shCw7hEBbmpt8Uptn3eq8eG9YSUVJho6qCaFGwv3e_3HVZkJX7CpQGBkkDXUnZfD2-q7SIl6zmS8Uef3aPPp8MwkWl7nH22EiG3igxE2HXH71sN1n47sIp3V5pN/s1600/3-Birds+border+avshan+19th-lotus2.jpg) |
456 |
Attempts were still made to revive the old heiratic style.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIJ1EYNfSsQaRzZFNZo8oq1auvmATKtKql8ryZKg5e55s0nsW00bN-KX-C2auDLc_EJ_yOHkZxsm7yXAW0NjSRmRxb6tt-HpWZkeOio-tZ40q0nPm4y6aEwXrTrOj6wQBlwKKcdb9c6c-/s1600/6-AVSHAN+CAUCASIAN+19th-COLLAGES.jpg) |
457 |
Simpler versions were also available.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7746GPp62FaRG9ygCfEsrH2OyXMA_l6_JTdXRE0gu-Nye9FgzgEIG9ElEo7M606-fCm0PjScG3uIu5LXVnT4jFwUSm2l7fGpvbBXxcSxhbCOslaEXMrYle7NfO5_WtYlYcEW8v2HEuptK/s1600/4-LARGE+KELLEH+SIMPLER+GROUP-lotus.jpg) |
458 |
And even runner sizes could be accommodated,as revealed by a pair which surfaced at Sothebys in 2007.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZptM0waJjYUvsTcHhpUxKzbrdLstdaiY21DUAzFzpytT46J19Bm_XIlzipSA-LDm5ZbyN5KE6snkGnJOYi70Oe3HaqbL-3IuN-NWrEQ7jQi6WO3UNUTnbMCuIDZuE6OEjsJIyGMZ1_XdE/s1600/5-Avshan+pair-sothebys+6.6.07-29.jpg) |
459 |
In time numerous border variations were applied.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOHM3kCy8ogbT4vkcGAv9VC45Iqjvt7RJVGZC-HJlBTBZOUDJlNsTzzzl9VzmgbVEAiV4JbgCNj79yRf6VU9Af44V99dMLackSFkeW864Lqbk1_wklCLi3hcigwWpFN1q95b2y7nIjkT0/s1600/7-xOthers-Lotus1.jpg) |
460 |
As with the Harshang design(361 & 362)long narrow format carpets were woven with designs hollowed out from the main carpets.They seem to originate from unfathomable cross-border areas -"Karabag or Karadag".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-EE1wdA0iPCwFZRfA_8gZIN9UxWzTcaS-OEA4cTduCbvKk50vikgKjAZo00xP1sqqUqE6n63ovRHy-CQd-nPt_9lXdalHAqi-FDiVM86-rFQwh1_IDklnUFWEqc1IYi7Ftn0OGbPR_Bv/s1600/3-AVSHAN+NARROW+RUGS+2.jpg) |
461 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNG61FZafF82TX0wRwMR1QdjVUB3XHd0xqgLSbDGmYNK4qWdbfv-VUBdE4UkjqNU7WeG3ag53c953b3ZQmv7GFNUvz9mhXTN6OtPtXWlci8vtAoZDEWnC6lmdvBS9GgdlWG1rEccPo5F4/s1600/4-AVSHAN+NARROW+RUGS.jpg) |
462 |
A group with trellis designs(the poor man`s Spiral-Vines)prominently displays the Karagashli Göl,and the split-leaf palmettes have morphed into birds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBNJqzrbey5HuO517Tcaw33qboHOmMgmooZjj1YZ3eomslJeUeFyqyPaP3rVTWpqi9G4Axa4RQ3etiy_Urw5YJK1yd24AB7HGYJXMhyphenhyphen_I6zsWJhXZQnYuKIjGj_rLM5J8-Ceu1nc9h33H/s1600/7-rugs-trellis-lotus1.jpg) |
463 |
The old trefoil border was very much en vogue but other possibilites were tried and tested.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtZsBcJ4IpqgdAxDM5Vr2VcrSNfR97AtB1rhRjQBK7n0XFenbvel66UpFRrL8MLDYVWTuoM2kbHkAoKeshc_5f9QbzWMiISZcWRblae5cHjZmqfNCOmwaMxK0VmQ0Q6OdhGoMWM_QYS0l/s1600/8-rugs-trellis-lotus2.jpg) |
464 |
Such carpets were invariably on white/yellow or brown grounds.Noble versions with Kuba blue/black borders(again an Anatolian borrowing)have also survived.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntyCaWFWnXYxGnb4ZcS8x9zsd0B-XS1tPgcpDah_6K1RmRCQMWahpYP80PG_CTqJUn2nPqPOdslTR3MFBvlD5VVdhKf-41bI8_sN6Mw0scwTsYWkEJGCkykA5YgSg5adAEUyhyphenhyphenaQnFzHt/s1600/9-runners-avshan+trellis.jpg) |
465 |
A rare group on brown/black fields has a yellow ground border which was once red and has faded,-signs of early redwood dye use.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwMrW3Mf8HjnhyphenhyphenpgnkJhdUPKsyD91pGTexeNziUUCk4KeJ0iT2nULuG0qWLLw3M8P8sInNjcSMVVXeVGibZGxlQSBuBZwfgxg9z1CpgS3gm-zOn0w0bdl7LN_leAn_W5QUIiXWhANm_Vj/s1600/10-Sindermann+trellis+type-Lotus.jpg) |
466 |
A group has been dubbed"proto-Karagashli" for obvious reasons.A piece illustrated by Kendrick-Tattershall appears missing from the V&A.The Bausback carpet is a reprise of the 18th century all-over medallion design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkUtGuVRMgIN6MJze-rx3SBTuYXXOvMXE-XwxC2GzyXMBiHapqcxJkgp_C9Wmj4B1abEI4ukxi2wJs049yO5jad-1y1_oUiO7zR0wtQVSnzDcPlI-xwKhZcaKXQ3UiiE5WLcU10shhoSg/s1600/1-Karagashli+AVshan+19th-Lotus1.jpg) |
467 |
An elegant carpet on Persian Surmey blue was exhibited at the Pacific Collections show;but the Christies 2010 item,despite Lenkoran flair,seems new-ish,perhaps reworked somewhere?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cJHlEccpW14N2nhR2Jpw6kXFHJbZHBkfZWuGuPkN1iT4Vm6KzBAM3HuozEhoGK7vdlh7izFdqp10OgJpPAEZPSHysRg8v4V9LVKQ-eFsAk_vs8wx2vPb1bX83cC78mRwaz3H5YFbl0o_/s1600/2-Karagashli+AVshan+19th-Lotus.jpg) |
468 |
Many very nice carpets were created from the Afshan pattern.Two styles dominate:a floral,and an angular.Rare and sought after are the red ground carpets with"Lotus Pond" design,first made popular by Ulrich Schurmann.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkILaSmOC1yZ_loe000gE9CIpHvZbeAFscwwQ_4jc9k5Ja_L3HRHE3VcN1mgAAOMhMvny86PhOTgwadfgFYvCuT1Bj5Dq8yDjlg6OarSC3Vaxa6zG2ygjEwEmuRCgaCCO2ickCIOdIf8mD/s1600/6-Lotus+pond-lotus.jpg) |
469 |
The crab-leaf border added movement and was especially useful for long rugs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m9HZeQUAew2aDH8M8bePnnadOYQVpjSCQGOAr6tTcjSzU-2-_Gjgu9Nt-Iem6yrxJLF21xtwpmL_HEieJ318292b_2yYZID2nDS3SyJ_0pW1CmpBrJQPp0lhVa7xFPQyMcxAvPpByZWt/s1600/1-crab+leaf+floral-Lotus.jpg) |
470 |
A leaf and meander border was adapted from the large Kuba Kelleh.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBM8GdfR5609eqF-_2L9auErQTKYz895cZYkiWpsJD51y9H95VCLwDUPsY_SSX-3b5ZYPJpk1Qw96_Mp9G7s26adXk9s4ndzGkELDD2cRb9UCvt7my4WUM-DQP4teLmWTXfqovEDMT3qtW/s1600/2-floral-narrow+yellow+border-Lotus.jpg) |
471 |
The pinwheel border was a guaranteed energiser.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqPi-I6zpTD6knTY0eRzb5wYfNXcoJZXGCJ5ncL-mzrkt4Jty00XsawGQbhX253Ych57X4_Y_h24uifDCtXi3_hpKr0UwU0cA5UKQw8Hohore9jQkRoYso_FZ8CU0XrqyCQEK0sc73QdA/s1600/3-floral-pinwheel+border-lotus.jpg) |
472 |
The "Seyshour" carpet-makers tried their hand at anything,usually with success.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8J5kzSp2RGkPEljlniFy1DeHPfpF7aa6pATkTwBkmTijc0n2zW8-td0Jo52gMjE_Fg-jDZzGKVauzmgWjyjoG4cCWPbedksJk7RutJQYorlkri8xZSHvs_rn4tZtuWLjpcUJqtJIQcx2s/s1600/4-floral-seyshour+border-lotus.jpg) |
473 |
Soon all over the Caucasus weavers were producing this design,one of the great "hits" of the 19th century.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46g4o3W4YM43TZFTE8MwcWXlVOAZtov5u4_UKRA66lcbcZmWkm7WdFQWGKpqusTP02vFCIjkA4R1dzyPzBc-LgreHhyphenhyphenxq_f5HwgM4UbA2PAVBi97J-6mA_z8-kNgA7870SZq4m6rJrNZY/s1600/5-xOthers-Lotus.jpg) |
474 |
Simpler models were also produced,not lacking in charm.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_7BzmpV4B50Li0D9-YMBBzbXjyXs2oSfsrGABjHWaLyDZSjF9ne0_rdjcR51fbS3Cn_XorWkEC3JqD1FDPblg83dbxS4Zk0LAFCpnVT_uxGOcTn64yxSyNtve6vXV2E-hmvmjuFNUEEb/s1600/7-simple+open-lotus.jpg) |
475 |
A more angular style,perhaps from the area which produced the Chi-Chi carpets,also became available in the second half of the 19th century.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW4SmE5Yzffu5_Uk440IjmcqX2P47lIe77fo8DSj22jqne2wAq_-776iOL74fln9RMs365ZsPYbQMq-k6n5KQfYtV6Va5lPciHqp_xrjiU5cIJNnNqIJVPX4aqT8hBI5i7RjO1k5BaiRe/s1600/7-square+type+best-lotus1.jpg) |
476 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi92FkBk2Lhm3_IDVIZ6ylxZesOPboZxytelPdb5mVRgju6k3cMmg9P3DdTawkb08X4I59Cs0BkkRV05svZ46kAlLiosE99m-IT1hGf8_65ycVQqL9-nYBRUqBhMpZ-aOwSgxXY7d-BaHD/s1600/8-square+type+best-lotus.jpg) |
477 |
The Caucasian rugmakers could(and did)make a prayer rug out of any design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o820NlTvsyZj7Yrrukk_1anuNxYsypO5e-L7o45kYmGpmIOj7gnyvuW1uftN-9ILpxBNxus7oRYgKsNP2Syb7H1U1PJ6pawQLBL4HS4vD3TDgJi5RrRBoNjTH_0XTsUWQThgnWtJma1m/s1600/9-Forked+leaf+prayer-lotus.jpg) |
478 |
Although the honour for the best prayer rug with Afshan design must go to a piece published by Ralph Kaffel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9gbE3ztSN7EVUMrn6r5mbi1Ve50XsBcCbwYU77GaT8AvcXyxZmOTCZty9cvCEbPB4eQZhpHp7s6sLYfaFfpdNr0jE-l944rWbsbOmffunGA5WDSg3RIZT1nBYH54SCCeFf8dd1hqPA4H/s1600/8-Kuba+prayer+Kafel+44.jpg) |
479-Kaffel,Prayer Rugs 44 |
All these designs passed through Kurdish territory on their way back and forth between Persia and the Caucasus.Amongst the most interesting productions of the Lake Urmia district are the"Sauj-Bulag",which combined elements of the Harshang and the Afshan designs.Such "Afshan-Harshang" rugs are very scarce.A carpet in the Burns Collection has a simple clear layout with Harshang,medallions and Split-Blossoms.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt0pZWVnjY54GP_hJaCWo2-4_4860snuspw5RvVP3rIVzucwEAAXmuhL3PQksASiQ_-nxdvwpBF-6Osup_lmPscEfZKzT3nsnSc9GaH5976ygsshvKZAgU4gwP7MCiR5YPCGGZdfNhQmS/s1600/1a-Fork+leaf+Burns+14.jpg) |
480 |
A devil-may-care attitude to symmetry,exemplary materials and a Caucasian use of colour is typical of the group,named "proto-Kurdish" by Albert Levi.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ1ayQ6Dl8z9YkfvKfBT_F4D9XrxbrK8m2NiuMn0QLQZpLBjdvpDsLZLDfWcPAs3ABqYe4Tk3ssH8V2YUYb5hFHMR4lEzoAZTEW0Bw-MTBteXKa17FpyX9_BEwObLV6VM29YCQEVThsEO/s1600/2-Bausback+Sauj+monkeywrench.jpg) |
481 |
Some weavers wove more conventional designs,closer to the Caucasian originals.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ8NebZOpwpxZteUpckMYEF43xpdMxk9Z4usrJaFSbdBLFjyYs-DGM3Kq3bJrGw3t9g3pDkRzlNV4w7JD1MLXA0Alwm5WIqTrTVmfaPRcN0yovL_mMo3ei4YvK_vC-KQqRmg1KUrFSwtn/s1600/3-BEST1.jpg) |
482 |
A carpet from James Burns has attained iconic status;seen here next to a piece from Dennis Dodds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQka5NHoXMLIIOHif1Kp3BlJ83WWeqToCZ0NOunmuLMBeg7Zk_75ox2O-3nS3hrdXTbJooJpBq-wgLxNHdpIBAAHBhgsopUOEyi4_nCfWbt8ns4yNIVwP7fQ84i-NCME5g2IygNKEoYHL/s1600/1-BEST2.jpg) |
483 |
And a splendid example was sold at Neumeister,Munich on 19 May 2010(45) for $56,750.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPgqo-djjUwQH8El5f6IC4MyLuadW5bezcs1-VKlP6Yn6NULpVmf_MCOOOb8s-h0wKFBFhLjO8-gQmK0IwSo3G3evQXiLVxmT-6cx-V1nOYVbK23ROs3zoJHKTV1ZuYYqfef17lfKVrNP/s1600/4-Neumeister+19.5.2010-45.png) |
484 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgi1yC6oXsR0wusU1pUfXQcp0Ny6rw6YkSZDhLnePoZz9SMJ_jl1zfmTq6aDujQPcwQ7EaEI9r__LaAvKXEK5SVTyyZwp1rbUS8HU097qojqH7N77ypqpyQA5Ivwrp1Xmu6dN39zbP4ii/s1600/me+x_153+copy.jpg) |
485-7th Century BC,Assyria |
The Pazyryk carpet with its Assyrian quatrefoils and lotus buds stands at the dawn of carpet studies like a gate through which all must pass.But the Emperor´s Carpets cast a longer shadow.The aim of this survey has been to demonstrate the omnipresence of the Lotus Palmette in carpet history.
A further investigation of the subject would include the Cairene carpets and their extensive use of palmettes;Turkish carpets and the Lotto pattern as an especially Lotus-inspired design with split-leaf Palmettes;Chinese carpets and their realistic depiction;,and of course the Turkmen carpet and its Göl forms derived from the Lotus.It would not be amiss to include textiles,from both the East and West.
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