Antique Caucasian Shirvan Kilim Size: 4'9" × 8'5" Date: 1870s Material: Wool on Wool Shirvan kilims from the eastern Caucasus are among the oldest and most distinctive of the Caucasian flatweave tradition. Woven in horizontal bands rather than around a central medallion, they reflect a compositional logic rooted in the loom itself — each band a self-contained register of pattern, the whole piece reading like a stack of individual design decisions. This example has a warm camel-gold ground that runs through most of the field, punctuated by alternating bands of terracotta red. Each horizontal register contains a row of angular, abstracted geometric forms — stepped rectangular devices, comb-like motifs, and bold upright forms in black, ivory, red, and ochre that sit against the ground like characters in a script. Narrow serpentine scroll bands in red and ivory separate the main registers, providing rhythm and visual rest between the denser patterning above and below. The variety across the bands keeps the eye moving vertically while the consistent ground colour holds the composition together. The border is a straightforward black and ivory diamond chain running the full perimeter — simple, strong, and exactly right for the scale of the piece. At 150 years old, the natural dyes have settled into a beautifully warm, earthy register. The camel and terracotta tones in particular have an aged depth that makes this kilim work exceptionally well in natural, warm-toned interiors.