Dragon Carpet

Unknown

17th century · Wool (weft and pile); cotton (warp); symmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

This rug represents the village carpet-weaving tradition of the Caucasus that was contemporaneously with court production in Ottoman Turkey and Safavid Iran. While rugs produced in royal workshops had flowing, floral patterns, those from provincial weaving centers retained a strongly geometric character. The motif of highly stylized dragons, which are depicted here, gave the name "Dragon Carpet" to this type of rug which was produced in Trans-Caucasia.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Wool (weft and pile); cotton (warp); symmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922