Derbend

ref: 13957

5000 - 10000 EUR

127 x 276 cm
4' 2" x 9' 0⁷/₁₀"
warp and weft: wool
pile: wool
Caucasus
around 1920

Coulours may appear different on the website than in reality. All mentioned prices and sizes are indicative and not binding. Possibly some rugs that are still online, are not available anymore in the showroom.

The Caucasian tradition is spontaneous, a handicraft made by simple villagers. It is not so much refinement as identity values and originality that makes them valuable. It often was a family story and these home-made rugs were produced in limited sizes.

The Soviet Russian invasion changed the situation. The working surrounding and atmosphere drastically changed. People were asked to forget about rural handicraft and were asked to work in strict organized workplaces. Naïve inspiration was replaced by industrial planning. The individuality of the rugs was taken over by a collective work, designed on paper, aiming for perfection and regularity, the Caucasian carpet became: all the opposite of what made the charm of the village production. They became stiff, rigid, almost lifeless.

The samples of the 19th century and very beginning of the 20th century are a valuable testimony  of identity lost and days of yore.