Tuesday, May 8, 2012

World's Oldest Handknotted Rug - Pazyryk Rug

In 1949 Russian archaeologists Rudenko and Griaznov discovered the oldest known "knotted" carpet in the Pazyryk valley, on the Altai Mountains of Siberia. It is the only received carpet from Achaemenian. Although it was found in a Scythian burial-mound, nevertheless the most experts attribute it to Persia. Its design is in the same style as the sculptures of Persepolis. This becomes clear particularly in the two broad borders. The outer of the two principal border bands is decorated with a line of horsemen: seven on each side, twenty-eight in number which corresponds exactly to the number of men, who carried Xerxes thorn in Persepolis, some are mounted, while others walk beside their horses. In the inner principal band there is a line of six elks on each side in opposite direction The Square in the carpet field, occupied with large rosette, reminds the Assurbanipal palace. The carpet survived over 2000 years as where it was found, preserved in the frozen tombs of Scythian chiefs, and is now the showpiece of the Hermitage Museum of Leningrad/St. Petersburg. The intricacy of this rug suggests even at this early date, the art of carpet weaving had progressed well beyond simple rugs designed for practical purposes.

Source: http://www.pazyrykart.com/

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

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