Kurdish Runner, second half 19th century

Measurements: 437cm x 108cm (14’4 x 3’6)

54 Knots per inch

Price: £1,200

This is one of my favourite rugs, despite it’s condition and almost unusable length (for my house) I had to buy it. I think it was the combination of the colours which are strong and pure with the crisply drawn design that made me fall in love with it. It has good age and stands out from many of the other Kurdish pieces in my collection with it’s simplistic beauty. The corroded brown actually enhances the overall look, like a good wine it has improved with age. One aspect I would pick out is the bright blue and pink lattice that frames the flowers, it looks almost three dimensional and as it disappears under the border gives the impression of continuing infinitely.

Condition:

Poor condition with some large holes and very corroded brown. This has also been reduced in length and reattached or ‘cut and shut’ as the dealers would say. The selvedges are currently partially bound in a machine made selvedge which I will be examining and removing at some point.