Kazakh Rug - Lori Pambak. Circa 1880. 220 X 120 Cm

This Lori-Pambak Kazakh rug is truly breathtaking.

For once, let’s start with the borders before examining the central field. Their diamond shapes and repeating patterns seem to be composed of small colorful shapes, like the tesserae of a mosaic.
Against an ivory background, dark red and brown figures alternate with touches of blue and bright red, stars, crosses, and rosettes.

This effect is repeated in two large medallions, at the top and bottom of the field. Scattered more freely, triangles and polygons invite the eye to wander before coming together to form the design. Their dark outlines evoke the framework of a stained-glass window, where colors come together in fragments and make the red of the field come alive.

The central field is organized around a deep, warm madder red. Three polygonal medallions, edged with crenellated outlines and arranged along the rug’s axis, provide rhythm to this background: the two largest frame a narrower central medallion.

Surrounding the madder red are shades of indigo and light blue, browns, ivory, as well as touches of ochre and green. The color palette is very diverse, but each shade finds an echo in the design; none of which disrupts the overall balance.

Hand-knotted rug
Wool on wool
Plant-based dye
Circa 1880
Perfect condition
Dimensions: 220 × 120 cm

Choosing an antique rug or textile is often a matter of serendipity.
If one of our pieces catches your eye, or if you’d like more information or photos, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.

Laurent Consul
Beauty of Kilims
06 42 61 73 46