Antique Russian and Caucasian

As Russia expanded in the Eighteenth century, it incorporated carpet producing regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus Mountains. The Caucasus is bounded by the Black and Caspian Seas to the east and west, Russia to the north, and Turkey and Iran to the south. It has produced very distinctive rug types since at least the end of the 18th century. These antique rugs use bold geometrical patterns often in the shape of diamonds, hexagons, small crosses and hooks. The rugs often depict folk motifs that include curvilinear animal and pattern figures in clear, strong primary colors made from natural materials that are found in the respective tribal regions. Throughout the Caucasus the Turkish Knot is used.