File:Kuba or Daghestan sumakh.jpg

English: Published by Herrmann as early as 1986 and comprehensively discussed in the book on his exhibition, this large sumakh in splendid colours was produced in one of the specialised workshops of the Kuba or Daghestan region and appears to be a one-off. Immediately comparable pieces are not found in publications. – Two wide red-ground design bars, each containing nine Lesghi stars, pairs of Talish rosettes and many small designs, take up almost the entire length of the deep blue field. They are separated by a vertical band of serrated diamonds and offset diamond halves. At both ends, they seamlessly merge into the panels surrounding the field which are densely filled with a border design of geometric, stylised animal-tree motifs and serrated diamonds. The ambivalence of this unusual composition is striking: does the sumakh have a red ground, with extra-wide borders dividing the field into two halves, or has a blue field decorated in a border design been overlaid by two bold red design bars? The latter reading is supported by the fact that the white border containing a double vine of stylised birds never occurs as a secondary border design, hence it is the main border of the rug. – Sumakhs presenting Lesghi stars are comparatively rare. The comparisons cited (see below) show sumakhs in which the same primary motif has been used in a different layout – a simple row placed along the central axis. – Partially corroded brown sections, several restored areas, good overall condition.

Literature: McMULLAN, JOSEPH V., Islamic Carpets. New York 1965, Nr. 56 *** BORALEVI, ALBERTO, Sumakh. Flat-Woven carpets of the Caucasus. Florenz 1986, Nr. 25 *** ENDERLEIN, VOLKMAR, Orientalische Kelims. Flachgewebe aus Anatolien, dem Iran und dem Kaukasus. Wesel 1986, Nr. 40 *** RIPPON BOSWELL, Auktion 43, 18. November 1995, Lot 64

Published: HERRMANN, EBERHART, Seltene Orientteppiche VIII. München 1986, Nr. 50 *** VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Caucasus-Persia. Gilim und andere Flachgewebe. (Text: Hamid Sadighi) München 1996, Nr. 32

East Caucasus, Kuba or Daghestan Dimensions: 340 x 230 cm.

Age: Mid 19th century

Estimate EUR17,000.00 - 20,000.00