Early Dragon Soumak
322 x 214 cm (10' 7" x 7')
Caucasus, mid 19th century
Condition: good according to age, both sides minimally incomplete, selvages rebound, slight abrasions, partially corroded dark brown, some small repairs, slight signs of use
Warp: wool, weft: wool

Among the most powerful designs in Caucasian weavings are dragon sumakh in which dominant X shapes in different colours dominate the field. From comparison with the large dragon carpets of Azerbaijan of the 17/18th century we know that these shapes are overlapping lancet leaves whilst the dragons have faded into the background looking almost unrecognisable.
The four yellow forms around the centre X standing for them. Within the leaves and in the field, there is a remarkable array of filler motifs partly based on the carpets but mainly from a more nomadic repertoire.
We find birds and two headed animals in the style known from Verneh weaves and the mafrash of the shahsavan.
As if to enlighten the white medallion in the lower centre two pairs of three 'lightnings' dramatically stand next to it.
The entire composition exhaling exuberant power whilst the dense complex border is perfectly holding the field together counter weighting the field and asking for careful examination.