Shirvan Kilim - Caucasus. Circa 1890. 188 X 110 Cm. Rug

What I love about Shirvan Caucasian kilims is the way they combine bold geometric patterns with exquisite compositional finesse. The horizontal bands alternate between broad swaths of color and ornate sections; hexagons, diamonds, and hooked crosses form a true graphic language.
In this piece, the design is remarkably precise, yet never overshadows the colors. The solid bands complement them and give them space. Everything is held together in a balance that is both powerful and delicate.

Here, the colors sometimes take the lead over the pattern. The solid horizontal bands are not empty spaces: together with the ornate bands, they form a whole in which each area finds its place and asserts its intensity. They echo one another and give the piece its rhythm, like punctuation that supports a narrative.

The color palette combines a deep indigo blue, madder red, dusty pink, ivory, and a few touches of turquoise. The blue of the wide solid bands is particularly saturated. Achieving such intensity required a large quantity of dye plants and a painstaking dyeing process. This is how these blues gain depth while retaining a beautiful luminosity.

Kilim from Shirvan, Caucasus
Handwoven, wool on wool
Plant-based dyes
Circa 1880
DIM: 188 × 110 cm
Perfect condition, flawless

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

Laurent Consul
Beauty of Kilims
06 42 61 73 46