Antique Central Asian Flatweave Soumak Large Carpet

Wool pattern wefts worked in the sumak technique on a wool foundation. This durable, large Caucasian flatweave displays three offset columns of characteristic, closely spaced reticulated dark blue diamond medallions on a madder-red field. Secondary blue octagons and stylized “rocket-ship” motifs fill the lateral areas, while an implied border of chained stars and rosettes surrounds the field. The narrow near-black main border features a bold zigzag pattern with atrophied cloud bands in the reserves.