Yerevan

Yerevan Caucasian artisanal Armenian rug. An unusual shape and size. Made for commission maybe for placement over a table or as a wall decoration. There is a wonderful balance of colour, shape and imagery with confident challenges and some asymmetry, see for instance the four sheaves balanced against the three opposite. See also  the clever juxtapositioning of the vertical and the horizontal surrounds around the central eight pointed star or eight petal image.  Evoking sheaves of corn or cornocopea of plenty the bundles running though the centre also evocative of the boteh image and see also the anchor or cross that may identify its orthodox Armenian Christian heritage. The borders are strong and well formed with the characteristic carnation flower image that is common to other sophisticated rugs across the region. The colours are deep and rich. There has been little wear. Produced in nineteen thirties.