Antique Belouch 236 x 120

Circa: 1890’s
Origin: Western Asia
Size Measurements: 236cm x 120cm
Rug Number: PP2742
 
The long narrow format to a tribal rug reflects not just the shape of the yurt or tent that they would live in but also the practical life of needing to finish a rug between migrations of the summer and winter camp. Hence many are smaller in scale.
The deep rich aubergine field is lifted by the madder red floating motifs which pop with the ivory central medallion and guard borders. Thought to have been woven by 2 weavers adjacent to each other, although at first glance the rug seems symmetrical one can see the difference in skill level and moods of the weavers each new day of weaving. Historically when restoring a tribal rug like this I would say to get inside the head of the weaver, understand when they were tired as the weave goes loose or stressed or simply a new day where its beaten down harder and the tension changes. All these layers tell us the story.
 
Typically the dark brown has corroded which is due to the iron mordant or ‘fixative’ used on the dye at that time.
A lovely naievity to look at and appreciate.