Antique Caucasian Soumak Rug, Origin: Caucasus – Reminiscent of the lavishly detailed and richly colored carpets painted by Crivello and Holbein, this elegant Renaissance-style antique Caucasian flatweave Soumak carpet features a triad of stacked octofoil medallions filled with detailed symbolic devices and coffered guls that show how little these classic designs have changed over time. The richly detailed medallions rendered in alternating hues of ultramarine and mossy green feature a collection of auspicious protection symbols framed by elegant strap work edges that contain delicate botehs and potent S-hook symbols.
The fiery vermilion field becomes a softly oxidized background filled with endless knots, protective eye symbols and geometric star motifs all designed to perform special symbolic functions. The superbly detailed field on this antique rug is framed by ornate star-filled guls, conjoined crab motifs and Vitruvian scroll borders that continue the symbolic and highly artistic theme.