Dating to the last quarter of the 19th century, this is a lovely Karagashli Shirvan from the Eastern Caucasus. It is finely knotted with soft velvety wool and a wonderful range of natural dyes. The field design is familiar, a row of linked lozenges on a glowing sapphire blue background with fan-like anchors at each end of the field. It is beautifully drawn with additional hooked diamonds in each lozenge. The anchors are also interesting containing stylised animals. Note too the lovely borders, in particular the pale yellow main geometric border, and the charming guard stripes with rows of octagons..It is a classic Karagashli Shirvan composition. However, the size is quite special as it is neither the ubiquitous long rug or kellei format one often sees, nor a small rug which one occasionally sees. All these factors make it as a really lovely example. I have priced this rug very sensibly as there is some wear through the centre of the rug which I have chosen to leave untouched to avoid s...