RUG 3
I like this rug and the Caucasian feel in the overall design, with colors that display to the full the craft of the traditional dye-master. It shares many design features with Akstafa rugs, especially those where the typical birds flanking the eight-pointed medallions are replaced by other motifs like squares or Memling guls.
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A vertical series of four medallions (6 or 8 pointed) of various colors (yellow, red and white) and irregular shapes are drawn on an abrashed dark blue ground .  Along the vertical edges, a series of stylized flowers or small angular tree-like motifs recall main border motifs of southwest Persian Khamseh rugs. Rows of small, well drawn stylized birds, some with "trumps", parade all along the rug and especially at its two ends where they are between stylized flowers.
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They contain prongs and four dotted squares with checkerboard diamonds. Each medallion is flanked by decorated squares of various type. Notice the irregularities in the rendering of these squares.
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Characteristics of design and the main borders, and the details displayed on the blue ground field were the clues I used for initial orientation. The first conclusion is that this rug displays much faulty execution of a Caucasian design, and that it does not have the uniformity and symmetry of the urban workshop products. I appears that the weaver gave full rein to her spontaneous impulses. The abstract zigzag meander of the border is another clue. Also, notice the upper main border with its pointed design. All of these features suggest a first guide line. Return to the main page and follow the link to the structure for more information.