Caucasia and Transcaucasia form an isthmus connecting Europe and Asia. It is bounded on the west by the Black Sea and on the east by the Caspian Sea and it has an area of about 166,500 square miles, with a population of nearly ten million. It was once Persian territory, but was acquired by Russia in 1813. Nowhere in the world is there such a mixture of races and languages, the number of dialects being estimated at about seventy. The carpets of the Caucasians are in coloring and in design identical with those of Ancient Assyria and Babylon and they have preserved their original characteristics, but alas, not their original dyes, for here too the coal-tar products have been well received by these wild mountaineers.

The Caucasian rugs are characterized by their prominent borders and their purely geometrical patterns with sharp outlines. Both warp and woof are usually of wool excepting in some of the Kabistans and Shirvans and, as a rule, the ends are finished with loose or braided warp threads. The predominating colors are the blues and yellows. They are seldom made in large sizes. Some of the most characteristic designs are the eight-pointed star of the Medes, the six-pointed star of the Mohammedans, the triangle, the diamond, the latch hook, the barber-pole stripe, the tarantula, the swastika, the reciprocal trefoil, the link-in-lozenge and the tree of life.

DAGHESTAN

Why So Named.—Daghestan means "mountain land" and is the name of a district in Caucasian Russia on the Caspian Sea. It has a population of 600,000.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to fifteen; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch eighty to two hundred ten.

Warp.—Usually wool, being as a rule a dark brown or natural color in the antiques and white or gray in the moderns. Some of the moderns have a combination of cotton and wool. The warp threads may be composed of one strand of cotton and one of wool in such a way as to cause a puckering of the fabric, especially after it has been wet.

Woof.—In the moderns nearly always cotton. In the antiques usually white or gray wool or a mixture of the two.

Nap.—Fine silky wool cut short.

Weave.—As a rule finely and closely woven.

Sides.—Selvaged or overcast with colored wool.

Ends.—A narrow selvage with loose or knotted warp threads at each end.

Border.—Three or more border stripes, usually three, carrying small figures and separated by narrow stripes of solid colors. The main border stripe most frequently has a cream colored ground. The lobster, the crab, the reciprocal trefoil, the reciprocal saw-teeth, the wine glass, the barber-pole stripe, and the Georgian border designs are frequently employed.

Prevailing Colors.—The central ground is usually ivory with figures in the different tints of red, blue, green, and yellow.

Dyes.—In the antiques all good. Some of the moderns are aniline dyed.

Designs.—The same patterns are employed as were in vogue centuries ago. Diagonal ornamentation of both border and field is frequently employed as in many of the Kabistans. Floral forms seldom used. The centre is never plain, but is always filled with small geometrical figures. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, S forms, octagon, eight-pointed star, and the latch hook variations are common. The Greek cross is almost omnipresent.

Sizes.—From two and one-half to seven by four to ten feet.

Prices.—Antiques rare; moderns cheap, from $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot.

REmarks.—Frequently crooked. The Shirvan and Kabistans are often sold as Daghestans.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

COLOR PLATES

with accompanying descriptions at pages 84 and 292.

DOUBLETONES

DAGHESTAN RUG (page 254)

Like most rugs of its class this piece consists wholly of geometrical devices such as the latch hook, star, octagon, barber-pole stripe, etc., all spaces being filled with designs of various sizes. Each motif consists of three eight-pointed star forms, one within another. The second and third borders are purely Caucasian and represent a twig with two leaves and a flower. This motif is seldom found in any but the Caucasian fabrics.

DAGHESTAN PRAYER RUG (see page 256)

The most common form of Daghestan prayer rug with its Caucasian niche and lattice field, each square of which is filled with a peculiar rectilineal floral form. All of the border designs are characteristically Caucasian.

DERBEND

Synonym.—Derbent.

Why So Named.—Derbend, meaning "a fortified gate," is the name of the chief city and capital of the province of Daghestan, in the neighborhood of which these rugs are made by the Tartars and Turkomans.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally five to ten; number to square inch forty to one hundred twenty.

Warp.—Brown wool or goats' hair.

Woof.—Good wool. Usually more than two woof threads between each row of knots.

Nap.—Good, soft, thick, long, lustrous wool.

Weave.—Very good, but not as close as that of the Daghestans.

Sides.—Generally overcast. Occasionally selvaged.

Ends.—Like the Daghestans, a short web with knotted fringe at each end. Sometimes the web is wide as in the Turkoman products.

Border.—From two to four border stripes, carrying large geometrical patterns separated by narrow stripes of plain color.

Prevailing Colors.—Fewer colors than the Daghestans. Usually a field of blue or red. Yellow is lavishly employed.

Dyes.—Generally good.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Daghestans and Kabistans, but of a coarser nature and purely geometric, the latch hook and the eight-pointed star devices being the most common. The field usually consists of a repetition of the designs in alternate colors.

Prices.—From $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—Rather rare. Of little artistic value.

KABISTAN

Synonyms.—Cabistan, Kuban.

Why So Named.—After the district of Kuba, which lies southwest of Daghestan near the Caspian Sea, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to sixteen; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch eighty to two hundred twenty-four.

Warp.—Sometimes cotton, sometimes wool. They differ from the Daghestans in that the latter always have wool warp.

Woof.—Usually cotton. Occasionally wool.

Nap.—Short wool, closely clipped, seldom lustrous.

Weave.—Closely woven, equal to the Daghestan in that respect.

Sides.—Nearly always overcast with cotton threads or selvaged with cotton. Some of the modern ones are finished with a cording.

Ends.—Narrow web with loose or twisted warp threads.

Border.—From three to five border stripes. The carnation in profile is one of the most commonly employed border designs.

Prevailing Colors.—Rich but not brilliant reds, greens, blues, and yellows, with considerable white.

Dyes.—Like all other Caucasian rugs many of the modern ones are more or less chemically dyed.

Designs.—Similar to the Shirvan. The floral forms are usually connected by meander lines, in which respect they differ from those of the Shirvan. An attempt to render geometrical ornament in a floral manner. Small conventional flowers thrown broadcast. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, S forms, diamonds, stars, birds, and animals are all introduced. A field of large rectilineal pear designs arranged in diagonal rows is common.

Sizes.—Usually oblong. Can be had in larger sizes than the Daghestan. From two and one-half to five by five to twenty feet.

Prices.—From $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Often sold for the Daghestan. The most durable of the moderate priced rugs. They are thin and flexible and lie well.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

The field is filled with four peculiar oblong medallions and geometrical devices of various kinds, such as the Greek key, diamonds, crosses, etc. All of the border designs are characteristically Caucasian.

TCHETCHEN

Synonyms.—Tzitzi, Chichi.

Why So Named.—The name of a powerful tribe of wandering mountaineers who inhabit the mountains in the northwestern part of Daghestan and who weave them.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to ten; number horizontally five to ten; number to square inch thirty to one hundred.

Warp.—Usually fine wool, occasionally cotton.

Woof.—Fine wool. Frequently dyed brown.

Nap.—Fine wool, closely clipped.

Weave.—Usually well woven but looser than the Daghestan.

Sides.—Narrow colored selvage, usually of extra yarns. Sometimes overcast.

Ends.—Web of varying widths at each end with a fringe of loose warp ends.

Border.—From three to six border stripes carrying a combination of floral and geometrical designs. The so-called Chichi border design is nearly always present.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually dark colors with considerable dark blue and white.

Dyes.—As a rule good.

Designs.—Rather indefinite. Usually a mixture of the Caucasian and Persian designs repeated over the field so as to form a trellis. Diamond-shaped figures, rosettes, trefoils, and tarantula forms. Field rather narrow in comparison with the borders.

Sizes.—Nearly square, four to five by five to six feet.

Prices.—From $0.75 to $2.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—Resemble the Shirvan in texture, for which they are frequently sold.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—A typical specimen of this weave, with the many small Chinese figures in blue. A star border, an interlocking border and a wide basket border. This specimen is unusual in being lighter toned in the ground.

BAKU

Why So Named.—After the city of Baku, a seaport on the Caspian in the district of Shirvan, from whence they are shipped.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to sixteen; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred ninety-two.

Warp.—Cotton or wool. Frequently camels' hair.

Woof.—Usually cotton. Sometimes wool.

Nap.—Wool with more or less camels' or goats' hair, cut short.

Weave.—Generally closely woven and well tied.

Sides.—Usually overcast, occasionally selvaged.

Ends.—A small streak of camels' hair is usually thrown across one end. This is one of the characteristic Baku features.

Border.—From three to six border stripes, most frequently three, one wide one with a narrow one on either side.

Prevailing Colors.—Similar to those of the Daghestan.

Dyes.—Generally good.

Designs.—The large-sized pear pattern is perhaps the most common. It is generally of a rectilineal nature. Frequently there is a central medallion with corners to match.

Sizes.—From three to seven by four to nine feet. The length is generally double or more than the width.

Prices.—Rather high priced on account of their scarcity; $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Not very common in the United States.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

The design of this piece, the large pear motif with central serrated medallion and corner pieces to match, is the most common one employed in the Baku district. In contrast to the Persian rendition of the pear design those in the Baku are larger and more rectilineal. Like the Saraband the stems point in the opposite direction in alternate rows. All of the border stripes are purely Caucasian, the central one being a form of latch hook border.

SHEMAKHA

Synonyms.—Soumak, Sumak, Kashmir, Cashmere.

Why So Named.—After the city of Shemakha, the capital and principal commercial city of the ancient Khanate of Shirvan, which was ceded to Persia in 1813. Soumak is a corruption of the word Shemakha. Sometimes called Kashmir or Cashmere on account of the resemblance of the weave to that of the Cashmere shawl.

By Whom Made.—By the Nomadic tribes of Shirvan.

Stitches.—In antiques ten to twelve rows of stitches to the inch. In moderns seven is the average.

Warp.—Always wool. Usually white in the antiques and coarse grayish brown in the moderns.

Woof.—Always wool.

Weave.—Woven in the same primitive fashion as of old. The only pileless Oriental rug besides the Ghileems. The different colored woof threads are twisted over and under the warp threads by means of a needle in such a way that each stitch is made diagonally, taking in two of the warp threads and leaving every alternate row of stitches to face in the opposite direction after the herring-bone pattern. On the under side the shaggy ends of the colored woof threads are left loose. They never have any lustre.

Sides.—Usually overcast in dark wool, sometimes selvaged.

Ends.—A long fringe at both ends formed by the loose warp ends. Usually white in the antiques and grayish brown in the moderns.

Border.—From two to five border stripes, usually four, the main one carrying a zigzag design. The Georgian border design is common, as is also the Chinese fret.

Prevailing Colors.—Light and dark blue, green, yellow, red, orange, black, and white. The field is most frequently of dark blue or red.

Dyes.—Good in antiques and poor in moderns.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Daghestan and Shirvan and have remained unchanged for centuries. All designs are outlined in black and the Mongolian influence is quite perceptible, the knot of destiny, mountains, etc., being very frequently used, together with the usual Caucasian designs such as the latch hook, octagon, and various other geometrical devices. Animals are frequently portrayed.

Sizes.—From three to seven by four to twelve feet. Seldom larger than seven by ten. Antiques were not made in carpet sizes.

Prices.—From $0.75 to $1.75 per square foot.

Remarks.—Durable, but they lack animation compared with other rugs.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Unlike other classes, the Shemakha has no pile but has a flat stitch made by winding the dyed woof thread around the warp yarn. This piece is one of the finest, having thirteen stitches to the inch. Like in most rugs of its class, the designs are typically Caucasian, among which are freely interspersed plenty of eight-pointed stars, swastikas and knots of destiny. The latter motif is nearly always present in this variety.

SHIRVAN

Why So Named.—After the district of Shirvan, south of Daghestan and extending from the Caspian Sea to the river Kur. Marketed at Baku, the trade centre of the district.

By Whom Made.—Woven by the Lesgie tribes.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally five to nine; number to square inch thirty to one hundred eight.

Warp.—Generally white or gray wool or a mixture of the two in the antiques, while the moderns are of brown or white wool or a mixture of the two. Sometimes the warp is of cotton or goats' hair.

Woof.—Usually wool in the antiques. In modern pieces, usually of wool, occasionally of cotton and sometimes cotton and wool strands will be twisted together in such a manner as to cause more or less puckering of the fabric, especially after same has been wet.

Nap.—Wool, cut short.

Weave.—Cheaply and roughly woven.

Sides.—Overcast or selvaged.

Ends.—Usually both ends are finished alike with a short web and an extra large fringe of loose or knotted warp threads.

Border.—Three to five border stripes, generally four, one wide one and several narrow ones. As a rule they carry small designs either of a Caucasian or Persian character. The latch hook, the tarantula, the scorpion, and the wine glass designs are common.

Prevailing Colors.—Quiet tints of red, blue, yellow, and salmon, with considerable white.

Dyes.—Moderns very apt to be chemical.

Designs.—Quite similar to those of the Daghestan and Kabistan, but more inclined to imitate the Persian designs without the connecting vine or meander effect and inclined to be rather large in proportion to the size of the rug. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, the S form, and the palace patterns are commonly employed.

Sizes.—From three to five by four to seven feet. No carpet sizes.

Prices.—Among the cheapest of the Caucasian products. From $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Moderns made only to sell.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

COLOR PLATES

with accompanying description at pages 158 and 250.

DOUBLETONE

Owner's Description.—Unusually fine for Shirvan. This rug is in the century class. The three borders are not often seen, but are characteristic of the older rugs of the Daghestan district. The glory of this rug is in the marvelous centre. At first sight one might think of the famous "rose" Kirmans. The treatment of the roses, lilies, peonies, etc., merit more than a passing glance. No weaver could possibly show greater fidelity to nature in the shading of leaf and petal than did the now forgotten factor of this unusual rug. The erosion of time has given the surface an appearance of brocade velvet. Casual examination would indicate a green background, but in reality it is black, the profusion of green being an intricate and realistic arrangement of leaves.

GENGHIS

Synonyms.—Guenja, Guendja, Guenges, Turkman.

Why So Named.—Authorities differ greatly as to the origin of the name. Some say that the proper name should be Guenja, which was the ancient name of Elizabethpol, from whence they came. Others insist they should be called Genghis, which is the name of the tribe of Nomads living in the vicinity of Elizabethpol who weave them.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to ten; number horizontally five to eight; number to square inch thirty to eighty.

Warp.—A three-strand thread of brown wool or goats' hair.

Woof.—Gray or brown wool, frequently dyed. Generally several woof threads between each row of knots.

Nap.—Usually rather long wool or goats' hair. Of a much finer quality in the antiques.

Weave.—As a rule coarsely woven.

Sides.—Selvaged or overcast, with different colored wool, most frequently the former.

Ends.—Web with small knotted fringe on one or both ends. Sometimes the web is wide as in the Turkoman rugs.

Border.—From two to five border stripes, most frequently three, one wide one with a narrow one on each side, all carrying geometrical designs.

Prevailing Colors.—Similar to those of the Kazaks. Usually considerable white with rather bright red, light and dark blue.

Dyes.—Apt to be inferior.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Kazaks and Karabaghs. Geometrical as a rule, sometimes flowers and vines. The pear is frequently employed, usually in alternate rows of red and blue. Birds and animals.

Sizes.—Seldom square, mostly runners three to five by four to nineteen feet.

Prices.—The lowest priced Caucasian rug as a rule. From $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Durable. Often sold as Karabaghs.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Knot: Ghiordes. Nine to the inch vertically and seven horizontally, making sixty-three to the square inch.

This is a very old piece. Note that the outer border appears in the ends and is lacking on the sides, having been cut off on account of its worn-out condition.

The field is covered with the pear design in alternating rows of light and dark colors upon a rich red ground. The inner border carries the Greek meander in red and white upon a blue ground, while the main stripe is filled with the octagon and the eight-pointed star of the Medes in different colors upon a white ground. The third border, which remains on the ends only, carries the Greek meander in blue and white upon a red ground. Both warp and woof are of wool.

KARABAGH

Synonym.—Carabagh.

Why So Named.—After Karabagh, the name of a province in Transcaucasia just across the Persian border north of Tabriz, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally five to ten; number to square inch thirty to one hundred twenty.

Warp.—Coarse white or brown wool.

Woof.—Coarse wool, sometimes dyed. Generally several strands between each row of knots.

Nap.—Long, heavy wool or camels' hair.

Weave.—Coarsely woven and carelessly knotted.

Sides.—Antiques usually selvaged. Moderns nearly always overcast with colored wool.

Ends.—Short webs, one of which is generally turned back and hemmed. The other end has a fringe of loose or twisted warp threads.

Border.—From two to fourteen border stripes with a large range of geometrical designs. The reciprocal trefoil is especially common. Frequently a border of camels' hair.

Prevailing Colors.—More subdued in antiques than in the moderns. Magenta is used lavishly. Strong reds, yellows, and blues, with considerable white.

Dyes.—Nearly all of the modern pieces are chemically dyed.

Designs.—Similar to the Kazaks, only a trifle more Persian in character, that is, more Persian floral forms are introduced. Sometimes the field is plain, sometimes it is filled with some tree patterns or with numerous floral and geometrical figures. In some of the antiques the field is covered with black and tan spots, giving it the appearance of a leopard's skin, which no doubt it was intended to represent.

Sizes.—Two to six by four to eight feet. Usually small. Never in carpet sizes.

Prices.—Antiques rare and rather costly. Moderns among the cheapest of the Oriental weave. From $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—One of the most inferior products of the Eastern loom, but artistic. Have deteriorated considerably of late years.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Owner's Description.—An exceptional Karabagh. The design shows evident attempt at Persian elaboration, this weave being about the only Caucasian that shows such tendency. The floral display in the centre; the beautiful old ivory of the corner pieces, and the exquisite canary, coral and blue of the three borders, evidence that the artisan that wrought this fabric had thoroughly mastered the harmony of color. The blacks in this piece have gone fully down to the knot. Such Karabaghs have not been made for a hundred years.

KAZAK

Synonym.—Small Kazaks are called Kazakdjie.

Why So Named.—A corruption of the word Cossack.

Where Made.—In the Transcaucasian district of Erivan, near Mt. Ararat, where Russia, Persia, and Turkey meet.

By Whom Made.—By the Cossack Nomads, whose origin seems to be unknown. They were probably related to the Cossacks of Russia.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty-six to one hundred twenty. Fewer than any of the other Caucasian fabrics.

Warp.—Always wool.

Woof.—Nearly always wool, usually dyed. A characteristic feature is the number of woof threads between each row of knots, usually four or more.

Nap.—Fine lustrous wool, which is usually cut long. The great number of woof threads causes the nap to lie so that the side of the yarn is exposed more than the ends.

Sides.—Usually a wide selvage in colored wool. Occasionally overcast.

Ends.—Usually a short colored selvage at each end, one of which is sometimes turned back and hemmed. A fringe of knotted or braided warp ends. When braided the ends of the rug are apt to be drawn and twisted so that it does not lie well.

Border.—From three to four border stripes, usually three. The crab, wine glass, reciprocal saw-teeth, reciprocal trefoil, tarantula, and latch hook variations are common.

Prevailing Colors.—Rather bright shades of red, green, yellow, brown, and rose, with more or less ivory or white. These colors are more subdued in the antiques.

Dyes.—Poor in some of the modern pieces.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Shirvan and Genghis. Bold geometrical figures which are characteristic of the people who weave them. The tarantula, diamond, palm, animals, and human beings are profusely portrayed. The Greek cross is almost always present and the Russian coat of arms common.

Sizes.—Small and medium, three to six by five to eight feet. Usually square or nearly so.

Prices.—Antiques few and valuable. The moderns are among the cheapest of the Oriental products. From $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—As a rule thick and heavy though soft and durable.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

COLOR PLATES

with accompanying descriptions at pages 94 and 144.

DOUBLETONE (page 272)

The field design is known as the Palace or Sunburst. It is common in the Kazaks and Shirvans, but never used in any other rugs. This piece shows the most common form of Kazak with the Palace design in the centre and the Crab border, on each side of which is the reciprocal saw-teeth.

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