Shahsevan khorjin face, Trans-Caucasus or Northwest Persia, mid-19th century. Only a handful of fine sumak khorjin faces with this composition are known and they always attract attention. The large octagon with an ivory ground contains what appear to be dragon-like forms, two in pale aubergine and two in deep indigo. Some suggest that the small dots are "eyes" of the beasts and the various appendages and attachments are scales on the dragon's body and limbs. In each corner, hardly noticed, are four diminutive and delicately drawn birds with harlequin markings and three of which show double crested feathers on their heads. The upper edge displays the elaborate closure system for the bag face. Exhibited and Published: Dodds and Eiland, Jr., eds.; ORIENTAL RUGS FROM ATLANTIC COLLECTIONS, p. 103, fig. 103, ICOC, Philadelphia, 1996. Size: 1'7'' x 1'8'' (48 x 51 cm). Weight: 1 lbs. Warp: natural tan wool, 3 Z-spun strands, S-plied, level. Weft: cotton and silk S-plied together, 2 strands, I shoot. Extra weft wrapping: wool soumak, 2 Z-spun strands, S. plied, parallel. Edges: 3 bundles of 2 warps wrapped in dark brown wool. Ends: top is weft faced with multicolor slit tapestry for closures.

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