Kurdish village carpet with hexagonal grid

Design

This pretty and colourful Kurdish village carpet probably originates from north-west Persia. The multiple medallion field shows 18 hexagon medallions, 3 per row on an indigo ground, forming a kind of implicit lattice (compare this to the explicit lattice of this related rug). The hexagon medallions bear a variety of tree, floral and geometric motives, including the strange central medallion with its 'eyes' which I have seen nowhere before. The secondary motives between the hexagons remind of Turkmen secondary guls. At a few points, the weaver has playfully inserted animals (see images). There is some variation of design across instances of the same type of hexagon, which serves to enliven the design. The main border shows what is often referred to as wine glass and serrated leaves design, is a type very common in Caucasian rugs. The main border is flanked by two meander borders with rosettes.

Colour

The rug uses a a beautifully saturated palette which includes two shades of madder red, a medium-dark indigo as field background colour, a clear warm yellow, a dark brownish aubergine, a dark brown, a light camel brown, off-white, and a medium (madder-based) orange among them. Clearly all dyes are natural.

Structure

The size is 10ft. x 5ft.2in. (305 x 158 cm). The handle quite meaty and flexible. The carpet has white cotton warps and dark brown woolen wefts (two shots), and symmetrical (turkish) knots. Alternate warps are very slightly depressed. The weave is very tight and medium fine: 7.h x 8.v knots per inch = 56 kpsi.

Condition

The condition is pretty good, good short pile with very slight even wear, a bit lower at the bottom, but not down to knotheads. Selvedges are OK, ends are secured. There is no fading or colour run, no stains, cuts or holes. The very end of the lower left corner has been restored, not invisible work, but also not very distracting (see images). The rug has not been washed by me, but it looks quite clean.

More images