Dyes and Colors Used in Antique Caucasian Rugs

By Jan David Winitz, President & Founder

Caucasian Shirvan Rug

Its absolute balance of color and design amid exhilarating asymmetry indicate that this circa 1850, High-Collectible Caucasian Shirvan, 3’ 10” x 6’ 10″ was woven by an extremely accomplished and sensitive weaver.

It is no wonder that the weavings of the 85 subgroups of Caucasian tribal rugs are enjoying rapidly growing popularity among both Oriental rug collectors and lovers of folk art. A major article in “The Wall Street Journal” featured Claremont Founder Jan David Winitz’s quarter-century long relationship with a private art connoisseur to build a world-class collection of Caucasian rugs. Since the article’s publication in June 2010, the demand for these enigmatic tribal rugs with their graphic, abstracted patterns and primary colors has notably increased.

In today’s Caucasian rug market, one typically finds mediocre pieces in compromised condition or those that use predictable designs and standardized colors. In contrast, the art-level antique Caucasian carpets that Claremont offers are substantially more difficult to find. The vast majority were woven circa 1825 to circa 1890 with exciting departures from the traditional pattern language and awe-inspiring color shifts. Characteristically in excellent floor condition, Claremont’s Caucasian rugs are masterworks of this important genre that represent the last remaining examples of an ancient weaving tradition that is the precursor to the graphic, non-representational designs of much of contemporary Western art.

Our inventory of collectible Caucasian rugs includes first-rate examples of the more loosely woven, starkly geometric tribal carpets from the high mountain regions of the Caucasus, including Kazak, Karabagh and Gendje. Equally enchanting is our Caucasian rugs that were woven on the Caucasus’ lower slopes descending toward the Caspian Sea, with their significantly finer knotting and more elaborate geometric to stylized floral designs. Our lowlands Caucasian rugs include the stellar representatives of the important subgroups of Shirvan, Kuba, Daghestan, Lesghi, Akstafa and many others. Collectible prayer rugs, dramatic long rugs and difficult-to-find runners are included. All are carefully chosen works of art that emanate the spirit of celebration and deep understanding of life possessed by the finest weavers of the Caucasus Mountains.