What is a Shirvan rug?

A Shirvan rug is a hand-knotted textile produced in the eastern region of the Caucasus during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These pieces are known for their geometric precision and distinct tribal vocabulary. Weavers in this area employed wool and natural dyes to create structured floor coverings featuring stars, crosses, and floral lattices. Their compact sizes made them practical for domestic use.

How do I care for an antique carpet?

Antique wool carpets require gentle maintenance, including regular low-suction vacuuming without a rotating brush bar. Keeping them out of direct sunlight preserves the natural dyes. Professional cleaning tailored to antique textiles helps maintain the integrity of hand-spun wool foundations. Placing a proper underlay beneath the piece prevents sliding and reduces fibre wear.

How do I identify a prayer rug?

A prayer rug is identified by the presence of a pointed arch or niche, known as a mihrab, at one end of the field. This architectural motif directed the user towards Mecca during prayer. These compact rugs often feature directional designs and specific central symbols like floral lattices or small urns. Their scale accommodated individual use rather than room-sized placement.

What are natural dyes?

Natural dyes are colorants derived from plant, insect, and mineral sources before the invention of synthetic aniline dyes in the mid-nineteenth century. They yield rich, complex tones that mellow gracefully over decades. In Caucasian weaving, these organic materials produce the characteristic soft blues, yellows, and reds found on nineteenth-century pieces. Subtle variations in shade often occur across a single rug due to dye batch shifts.