Mehraban Rugs Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Shirvan rug, floor covering handmade in the Shirvan region of Azerbaijan in the southeastern Caucasus. With the exception of a group of rugs woven in the vicinity of Baku, most Shirv...

Needlepoint rugs were created using the traditional needlework weaving technique that is used to make everyday items from furniture to carpets and artwork. However, it has a fascinating history both as a hobby and as an industry. When many people think of carpets, they think of pile carpets or flat weave kilims, but needlepoint has also been used to create beautiful carpets. These carpets are durable and an important part of carpet history. Archaeologists and scholars consider the roots of needlepoint to have been around 1500 BC. They consider the first needlepoint to include the fine diagonal stitches that were used to sew tents together by the ancient Egyptians. The art eventually evolved into tapestry weaving. However, a tapestry weaving differs significantly from needlepoint in that it uses a loom and vertical warp. Tapestry weaving is closer to the weaving of kilims and pile rugs than canvas work. However, some still include tapestry weaving in the category of needlepoint because of the fine work that appeared during the late Renaissance. It can have a similar appearance to the untrained eye. Technically, tapestry weaving and needlepoint are not the same, and they do not use the same technique. The first actual needlepoint rugs and needle-points began to appear in the late Renaissance. Needlepoint is worked by creating stitches on a stiff canvas. The canvas is typically made from jute or linen and is quite durable. Pieces from the Renaissance were used to cover footstools, chairs, pillows, bed headboards, and other furnishings. They were also used as table coverings and wall coverings. You could also find them on many small items such as purses, shoes, and various adornments for clothing. During the Renaissance, the craft reached a high level of skill, and the designs became incredibly detailed and realistic. They mimicked many of the subjects and styles of famous paintings of the time. They created florals, still life designs, scenes, and geometric tiled pieces. Some of them mimicked the designs found in Persian Carpets. Needlepoint reached its peak popularity in the 19th century when it was considered a proper occupation for a lady. Needlepoint and embroidery held a similar place in societal status at the time. During this time, the work became finer, with some of the canvas reaching a high level of detail. The level of detail is determined by counting the number of mesh in an inch. During this time petit point by French needlewomen could have a mesh count as high as 45 mesh. This allowed women to create highly intricate designs with incredible levels of detail. It is possible to find many antique pieces of needlepoint besides rugs. Needlepoint rugs were popular in France and Spain, where the technique was adapted to create highly intricate designs that mimicked the designs in architecture and fashion. They were popular because they were durable, and it could be fashioned into a variety of items. The canvases themselves were durable, and the wool that they used was also strong, which means that many of the pieces were able to withstand daily use. We have many artifacts that have survived from this time period. Needlepoint rugs are important collectibles because they are different from the pile rugs and kilims that are typically found on the market. Needlepoint carpets are special because they take many hours to create, especially larger works. Needlepoint pieces of any type became popular throughout Europe during the 19th century. It is still a popular hobby today, but perhaps one of the most interesting stories is that of the Portuguese needlewomen of Arraiolos. The story of these women and their beautiful carpets begins in 1492. Needlepoint was a popular occupation in Spain, which had a large population of Moors and Jews. They were an integral part of Spanish culture. However, in 1492, Queen Isabella of Spain issued a proclamation that gave these ethnic groups the order to pack their bags and board ships headed...

78977 Late 19th Century Antique Caucasian Kazak Prayer Rug, 03'04 x 03'10. This hand-knotted wool antique Caucasian Kazak Prayer rug from the 1880s transports us to a time when craftsmanship and spirituality were interwoven into everyday life. With its rich blue field, adorned with a scattering of vibrant eight-pointed stars, this Kazak rug evokes the night sky, offering both beauty and deep symbolic meaning. The stars, representing happiness, shine brightly across the central field, their eight points embodying the "Star of Wisdom," a symbol of man’s potential to gain understanding through life's challenges. The Caucasus tribespeople lived an elemental life, believing that wisdom, earned through hard experiences, was the greatest possession one could obtain. At the heart of the design lies a distinctive mihrab, or prayer niche, providing a directional layout for worship. This sacred space is filled with esoteric tribal motifs, each with protective and spiritual significance. The protection amulet woven into the mihrab ward off malevolent spirits, while the cross motif, with its intersecting vertical and horizontal lines, divides the evil eye’s power into four pieces, diminishing its harmful effect. Also present is the ying-yang symbol, representing the harmonious balance between male and female energies, a reminder of the importance of unity and balance in both life and nature. The antique Kazak rug's border is equally captivating, offering its own story of protection and strength. The innermost guard band showcases a series of S-hook motifs, another ancient symbol believed to protect against the evil eye. Surrounding this, the main border features Ram’s Horn motifs, symbolizing fertility, heroism, power, and masculinity. These bold geometric forms not only add to the visual appeal of the this Kazak prayer rug but also remind the owner of the strength and vitality essential to the survival of the Caucasian people in their rugged landscape. Finally, the outermost running water guard band highlights the importance of water to life in the Caucasus. Water, essential for both people and animals, represents inner purification and renewal. The repetition of this motif underscores its significance in the tribes’ elemental lifestyle. This antique Kazak Prayer rug...

Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...

An antique Ukrainian needlepoint carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century. A medallion of elegant floral blossoms sits atop a brown minimalistic background confined by a gr...

The central panel with a repeating open geometric design with diamond-shaped reserves and oval discs at the corners on a dark brown and beige ground, within foliate scrolled borders ...

Antique Bessarabian Rugs / Kilims in both pile and tapestry weaving technique are some of the more beautiful carpets to have been produced in Europe. Many of the Bessarabian Kilims w...

Finely woven early 20th century handmade Kuba rug in easy-going earthy palette.

Antique Kazak rug 5'5'' x 7'5''. Antique Russian Kazak Wool on Wool 5'5'' x 7'5''. This very rare, probably east Caucasian/west Caspian, scatter in an enlarged soumak bag face design...

79092 Antique Caucasian Soumak Rug, 03'11 x 03'11. This exquisite handwoven wool antique Caucasian Soumak rug is a remarkable piece of art that embodies the rich cultural traditions ...

Soumak rugs (also spelled Sumak) – This construction technique produces a flat-weave rug that is thick, strong and exceptionally durable. Unlike kilims, Soumak rugs are not reversibl...

Handwoven in USSR.