Moghan long rug

Moghan long rug

from the southern Caucasus

late 19th century

Size: 330 x 110 cm

The Caucasus is a melting pot of different tribal and ethnic groups. Prominent amongst the rug weavers are the Azeri Turks, the Armenians, the Kurds and the Talish.

Caucasian rugs are characterised generally by bold contrasting colour and strongly geometric design. The principal motif shown in this piece is a hooked medallion, or so-called ‘Memling gul’ after the 15th century Flemish painter, Hans Memling who depicted early Anatolian rugs with this motif in his paintings.

In Caucasian weaving, it is a design most closely associated with rugs from the Moghan district.