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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Caucasian Kazak Rugs - FACHRALO KAZAK
 Its been an age since I had the time to Blog, and during that time stuff happened, not the least
of which was breaking both my ankles last November. Anyways, I want to talk about Caucasian rugs, there are books and books
available as reference material, but where do you go when you are having a hard time identifying something. I had such a problem
with a Karabagh Boteh Runner I had, thankfully a new friend in Baku, Azerbaijan gave me me some great observations on not
only that but the rug I am displaying, which is a wonderful and fairly rare octagonal medallion Fachralo Kazak rug. So whats
different about this rug ? Well for a start its old, at least 100 years old and in exceptional condition. Its a Fachralo,
but not the usual, but then the rules are always being broken by Caucasian rugs, a wealth of outside influences and intermingling
of Tribes, religions and ancient traditions make this a constant. It has the signature trademark of a "T-Meander"
border, with the incorporation of a Shirvan stripe also, but many more things add up, my ebay listing for this rug describes
its hallmarks and points towards other references in verification of my observations. as if I needed any, I was pointed in
the exact direction by my expert friend in Baku. There is a huge market for Caucasian rugs in the USA, possibly unrequitable,
however the source is not inexhaustible. Although, there is a reassurgence in traditional rug making, just as in Turkey with
the DOBAG project. Caucasian rugs are tricky to identify because there are so many influences in their birth. Persian, Turkish,
Armenian, Turkoman, Afshari and other tribes, so much so the close identifying of a rug invloves sleuthing worthy of Perry
Mason. There are always clues to point the avic rughead in the right direction, or wrong direction for that matter. Here are
but a few, design and motifs, size, materials ie. all wool, cotton and wool, shoots of wool, 1, 2 or 3, coloration of wool,
knot count, type of knot Turkish or Persian, warp and weft, depressed or straight and even down to how the wool was spun.
As much as I know now, another 100 years would only scratch the surface of this fascinating world of rug and carpet weaving.
In March I am off to Istanbul, Ushak and Konya on a buying trip and hopefully also incorporating a few days in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Watch this space, I hope to regale you with some incredible new rug finds in the next few months.
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The Turkish Carpet Company * 22055 E Beaver Creek Road, Cloverdale, Oregon 97112 USA * tel.
+1 503-398-5002 * sales@theturkishcarpetcompany.com
Licensed in the State of Oregon, Company # 417123-99 © 1994-2011
Roman Trading Int. DBA The Turkish Carpet Company. All Rights Reserved.
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