Rare Antique Floral Design Ukrainian 19th Century Rug, Country of origin: Ukraine, Circa date: 1850 – This rare and elegant antique Continental rug is dated to 1850 and measures six feet by six feet and seven inches. The more captivating antique Ukrainian rugs feature a wider array of stylist approaches. This specific rug from the Ukraine features several different motifs of flowers and leaves with few additional patterns or geometric motifs. Darker blue accent colors appear in thin lines outlining leaves, petals, and rectangular edges throughout. This creates and artistic juxtaposition that truly showcases the beauty and sophistication of the floral motifs and patterns.
A large central rectangle contains six oblong floral rings of leaves that are filled with matching floral clusters. Smaller circles and partial circles are shown between the larger rings and along the inside edge of the rectangle. The small circles have a thin outline and are filled with one large flower head with cross-like symmetry. Most of the flower petals have colors similar to the background colors in and outside the rings.
Some of the flowers could be identified as sunflowers, daffodils, lilies, peonies, irises, or lilacs. The floral elements focus on the heads of the flowers and a few extra leaves with minimal stems. Several cluster types are shown with the stems meeting in the center of a wheel-like arrangement.
The border section contains two cluster styles and one large single head that repeat around the edge. There is one thin line in a dark color around the very edge of the rug. This color is shown in the outline of the central rectangle and petal and leaf outlines.
The main color of the border background has ombre or abrash color variation and wide stripe sections of different sizes. The spaces with ombre designs and stripes do not go through the middle rectangle. The background of the middle section is a solid color that fits in with the monochromatic scheme. It is lighter than the other colors and does not contrast much with some of the lightest petals.
The largest floral design appears ten times inside the border and six times inside the center rectangle. The six forms in the center are approximately half the size of the ones shown in the border. This floral head is shown with about fifteen leaves around a central head in each instance. A few instances have one additional bud, some have two buds, and some have none.
Antique rugs from the Ukraine are are some of the most coveted rugs and carpets. Unfortunately, these area rugs are not that common as there was never a full commercialized production of rugs during the late 19th century. So it is exciting when we are able to find these rare and fabulous 19th century rugs.
