The Kurds are one of the world''s least-known ethnic groups and can be traced back to the dawn of antiquity.Old Kurdish tribal weavings often have different dyed colours of wool weft in the same piece whereas the tribes of Sa''uj Bulagh near Sulaymania dyed the wool for their wefts, red or red-brown. Nomadic Kurds often employed symbols such as hooked polygons within hexagonal forms, talismanic devices as well as human figures, as can be seen at the base of this exceptional rug. Made in the environs of Sa''uj Bulagh during the third quarter of the nineteenth century, this area was famed for its fine lustrous wool and exquisite tribal rugs. The use of natural colours in this rug and exceptional white wool which can be seen in the outer minor border, shows the fabulous range of colours used by these nomads.This rug is in very good overall condition, albeit with an evenly-low pile and a corroded brown field, which is generally found in these early rugs due to the iron-base...