Page 122 - 2021 April 1, ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs, Christie's London

■*116
A KARABAGH KELLEH
SOUTH CAUCASUS, DATED AH 1253/1837-38 AD
Mostly in good pile, localised minor wear, occasional small
reweaves, overall good condition
16ft.4in. x 5ft.8in. (500cm. x 175cm.)
£8,000-12,000 US$12,000-17,000
€9,300-14,000

115
■115
A PART COTTON SILEH 'DRAGON' CARPET
EAST CAUCASUS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Woven in two panels, overall very good condition
10ft.6in. x 7ft.1in. (325cm. x 219cm.)
£6,000-8,000 US$8,500-11,000
€7,000-9,200
This sileh carpet is woven using the weft-wrapping technique known as
soumac. Its design is characterised by sixteen large alternating yellow and
indigo S-shaped motifs arranged in rows of four that represent highly stylised,
mythological dragons. Typically they are displayed with protruding, hooded eyes
above and a long, thin tail beneath, with the main body filled with small Z-motifs
which represent the scales on its body. Sileh carpets appear to have been made
in various areas of the eastern and southern Caucasus although their exact
distinguishing criteria have not been established to date. The red ground has not
been left empty by the weaver but is densely filled with further colourful details of
grouped angular motifs that resemble amulets and small crosses that exhibit the
full wealth of her design repertoire. Similar examples are illustrated by Alberto
Boralevi, Sumakh, Flat-woven carpets of the Caucasus, Firenze, 1986, pl.6, p.42
and John Eskenazi, Kilim, Milan, 1980, pl.29, p.78 116

120 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.