Zeichour circa 1900
Zeichour circa 1900 KEENLY PRICED COLLECTIBLE
3 x 5 feet
Acquired from a German collector
Zeichour rugs (also variously spelled Seichur, Zeykur) are produced in southern Azerbaijan, in and around the town of the same name. The production levels have historically been slight. Their very distinctive cross patterns, always delivered in individual artistic ways by the weaver, make them generally easy to identify. Good examples are always in demand given their relative scarcity, and the fact that weaving, dyeing and design values declined from around 1920; indeed, the basic design motif virtually disappeared.
Much of the past production has been in longer runners. and an execution in this size fairly unusual. For an individual interested in starting a collection modestly, this is a very fine piece.
Apart from being in excellent condition for its age, (flawless) its coloration is especially delightful. The use of a yellow and a rich wheat colour creates for our eyes hints of gold which seem to emanate from the overall composition, especially at 6-10 feet.
The thrust of the X medallions is powerful and communicates the geometric force of good Kazak carpets (Kazak having nothing to do with Kazakstan, rather a generic name for all Caucasian as distinct from Persian carpets).
The weaver was certainly of Armenian heritage, as the Christian cross appears, in both larger and smaller formats. So too, does the horizontal S, the sign of Zoroaster, which appears as a millenia old symbol, on occasion, in pieces throughout Caucasia.
The fine use of two blues –one of them electric, another royal blue, and a subtle light turquoise is very effective, accented by a sparing rose hue in the lower medallion, above which abstract bird figures appear.
Above the upper medallion we see animal figures, which appear, unusually to be camels.
This rug has strength both in its wool and weaving, and importantly its natural dye coloration, a very satisfying piece of woven art.
$4,350
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