Lot 135

A FACHRALO KAZAK RUG

The impressive artefact, with a design called Fachralo (after the name of the village) from the South Caucasus, is characteristic of Armenian workshops. A unique collection piece with an extremely interesting geometric design and impressive rich colours. The fascinating and alternating depth of blue and red comes from purely natural ingredients and appropriately complements the truly minimalist design with a boldly open space. Typical in the design is the all-Caucasian border with motifs called "wine cup" and "oak leaves" - while the diagonally placed "oak leaves" are also considered a stylisation of the jagged Caucasian mountains, the so-called wine cup is probably a heavily geometricised depiction of a tulip. The inner red border is filled with blue-coloured running water, and this gracefully undulating line, from which grow austerely shaped flowers, is a powerful symbol of life, also known as the 'zigzag'. In the uniquely simple central field are various rosettes, palmettes and flowers in a purely abstract Caucasian conception. Most interesting in the entire composition, however, are the Christian crosses that divide some of the rosettes, which appear proudly on the mirrored palmettes in the fanciful shape of jellyfish. Clearly the work of a skilled Armenian bookbinder who gave vent to her creative imagination and created an impressive carpet.