Maffrash Karabakh. Caucasus. Circa 1880. 76 X 46 Cm

A small piece that embodies all the artistry of Armenian textile art from the Caucasus.

A very beautiful fragment of a Karabakh mafrash, of Armenian origin, dating from the late 19th century.

Mafrash were large, chest-like bags once used by the nomadic peoples of Persia and the Caucasus to transport and store their household goods. Their construction combined several woven panels—two large rectangular panels and two narrower side panels—sewn together on a backing to form a veritable textile chest.
This fragment is one of those panels and offers a remarkable demonstration of these weavers’ craftsmanship.

It is executed using the sumak technique—wool-on-wool—which allows for a particularly precise definition of the design. Here, the work achieves a subtle degree of finesse: the contours of the motifs are sharp, and the details are extremely fine. A true masterpiece of textile art.

This density gives the design a unique presence. The geometric motifs no longer appear merely drawn by the threads; they seem sculpted into the fabric, creating a visual relief that gives the piece its distinctive character.

The plant-based dyes are of great purity. Their depth, their subtle variations, and the balance with which they interact create a particularly accomplished harmony, without any single color artificially dominating the whole...

Measuring just 78 × 46 cm, this panel thus encapsulates the mastery of design, color, and weaving that characterizes the region’s finest antique pieces.

Karabakh – Armenia, Caucasus.
Circa 1880 or earlier.
Technique: sumak – wool on wool.
In good overall condition.

Dimensions: 78 × 46 cm.

Laurent
Beauty of Kilims