Sharafi, thank you for continuing to share your expertise, in helping me identify and better understand my rug. And, if your current thinking is on the mark, I have to give a shout-out to ruggist, who first floated the hypothesis that this is a Ghoochan (or Gouchan or Qushan, etc) production. Since the Persian adaptation of this pattern was almost exclusively executed by the Kashkuli (and I assume that all those attributed to the Qashqai are speaking in more general terms), there must be compelling reasons why both of you are convinced it does not emanate from that region. Having to do with structural elements, which are beyond my knowledge. But why Ghoochan? Obviously the pattern is atypical; I've gathered that indigenous Ghoochan are largely geometric, Caucasian-influenced. Is the affinity, again, structural? Is there a clue here, in something I read on a webpage?:
"Some rug merchands in Khorasan province, decided to weave some of the most beautiful Persian patterns and Caucasians patterns in city of Ghochan with help of Afghani refugees, because Iran has border with Afdhanistan, during the Taleban ruling many Afghans fled to Iran and many stayed in Khorasan province, where is near to the border. These Ghochanrugs were made by Afghani weavers, and all ate in awesome quality. I have seen some with Kpsi of more than 700, but the group that I am offering in my store have kpsi between 250 to 300 which are very fine and could be is high quality category. They also used phenomenal color combination, specialy the ones with Ferahan patterns. These rugs were made in a short times back in late 80’s and early 90’s, but production stopped in early 90’s. Because of their quality and pattern, these rugs became so popular, because they were made like antiques, some folks even rug dealers could be confused and could not distinguish if they were old or new."
May just be a seller's fantasy. But the idea that merchants from Khorasan Province embarked on a project to weave "beautiful Persian patterns" in Ghoochan workshops would stand to support ruggist's hypothesis, seconded by you. Now THERE would be a near-current example of how rug production is influenced by geopolitical/sociological forces, about which you spoke. But much as I love their output...were the Afghan weavers skilled enough to pull this off?
I purchased my rug 10-20 years ago, so it is (obviously) at least that old. Perhaps it was relatively "new" when I found it hanging at Central Carpet in NYC. That might place it in the late 80's to early 90's period quoted above. The preponderance of the rug looks pristine, untrammeled upon. But there seems to be erosion at the edges, a lack of uniformity, where the maroon pile meets the selvages. Is that just par for the course, to be expected with a hand-made rug? The double selvage you speak about--are you referring to the use of both blue and red fibers?
Silk foundation? The fringe fibers seem relatively course and are quite curly, as the images show. Are the fringes not the warp fibers? Am I betraying total ignorance here? I would never have associated them with silk fibers, which we think of as soft, thin and delicate. Is raw silk something entirely different?
Of course, I'd love any additional input from others who might shed some knowledge on this piece, even if they're stabs in the dark. And I'd be grateful for some expert input as to what this rug may be worth, if anyone cares to venture an opinion. The exact size is 7'8" x 5'4".
One final note, which I address to you Sharafi, as a rug merchant: When I went to the store to pick up my rug, the personnel went about "preparing" the rug for carry-out. That meant cutting the fringes! When I saw what was happening, I told them to STOP. This is the result of their handiwork, at lower left:
http://flic.kr/p/gKPkeW I mean, really?
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Two side notes:
(1) About the information that a seller or dealer conveys about his merchandise: Sure, I appreciate info, and it can get very specific on a site like ebay. The problem is...anyone can say anything! I'm especially skeptical about the claims sellers make about a rug's age. I mean, how do they know? And how do we know that they know? All of them are constructed using natural dyes, of course...though we learn elsewhere that the use of organic dyes virtually disappeared for much of the 20th century.
(2) Can someone explain to me, how to insert those boxed format modifiers like Bold or Italics, into one's post? I've tried.
Thanks to all,
Byron
