Shirvan | 242 x 170 cm | Nr. Z-4295

Geometric Shirvan, beige with an all-over pattern, central medallion and border

Origin	Russia
Dimensions	242 cm x 170 cm (= 4.11 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	200.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1960
Colour	Beige, light red
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Shirvan (also Schirwan) rugs are knotted by hand in the eastern Caucasus, in the Shirvan region. Shirvan rugs are knotted from exceptionally fine wool and have a low pile. Old Shirvans are greatly valued and highly rated among collectors in Europe. They not infrequently reach a knot count of up to 300,000 knots per m².

The wide border is characteristic of Shirvan rugs. A broad main stripe is framed by 2 – 6 secondary stripes. The field is often shaped by imaginative geometric patterns. In terms of colour, these rugs are frequently marked by blue knotting, but also by red and ivory. The many-coloured patterns result in a fine and versatile palette.

Pattern

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Schirwan its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room and never draws attention away from the furniture, the décor or the architectural features. It sits beautifully in any setting and complements a room's furnishings in a subtle way.

The decorated surround (border) forms a beautiful contrast to the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The recurring pattern (known as a repeat pattern) flatters the design of a room and doesn't draw attention away from the furniture, the décor and the architectural features. It creates a pleasant atmosphere without dominating the style of the room. In this Schirwan, the repeating elements find their centre in the middle of the field, in the symmetrical medallion.

The background of this Shirvan is beige. The border is worked in light red, beige and dark brown. In the dark brown centre, curry and light red are combined.

Material

The pile of this Shirvan was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a number of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels drops of water and is naturally proofed against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Shirvan are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and supple, which makes it particularly suited to a hard-wearing foundation.