The Oriental Collection - Catalog - Page 70
REZAS KELIM RUGS
Sumak Shahsavan
The name Shahsavan means the King’s protector, and it refers to the nomadic tribe
that guards one of Iran’s most remote and vulnerable borders with Azerbaijan, where
the country borders Russia and Turkey. The diverse weaving traditions brought from
the Turkish, Persian, and Armenian peoples became a melting pot that slowly transformed into an impressive new rug grouping.
The design work characterizing Shahsavan rugs is highly geometric and filled with an
array of vibrant natural dyes. Medallions are aligned horizontally or vertically across
the surface of the rug, with smaller improvised patterns adorning the background. It
is also not uncommon to see patterns in the field, particularly in runners, while larger
sized rugs can be distinguished by stepped or latch hook medallions, the Turkish
Memling guls, the ubiquitous boteh pattern, or small animal figures. The backs of
these rugs always have long thread ends and the special weaving technique gives the
rugs a thinner, felt-like quality. The rugs are very well suited for hanging on the wall.
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