19th-Century Dark Blue & White Boteh and Birds Caucasus Runner Rug, 1890s

The Mountain Region of the Caucasus is a Crucible of ethnic groups and populations often fighting each other, of different cultures and religions: the Kurds, the Turks Azeri, the Armenians, the Nomads Shahasava, the Chechens, people united by the ability in the weaving of rugs . In the tradition of the Caucasian carpet, many cultures are intertwined starting with the Russian one and that and many styles, in a very original set of geometric, abstract simplicity, decorative and chromatic richness. In the carpet universe, the Caucasus is synonymous with a refinement and a talent, graphic and decorative, which sink the roots in the deepest identity of this land and its ancient and mysterious villages. Knotted in Khila, Village of the Azerbaijan in the Baku area, is characterized by boteh rows decoration on a dark blue background and bordura decorated with birds and crying willows .. The origin of the name Boteh is Persian, literally means " Group of leaves / bush "and is recognizable thanks to the typical drop shape. The meaning of the boteh is not yet completely unveiled, and the hypotheses about it are numerous. Some trace the boteh motif to the eye, thus giving it a protective and defensive value. Another thesis believes that the reason is actually a flame, residue of the worship of Zoroastrian fire. Finally, it seems that Boteh hides a message of prosperity, abundance and fertility. This would also assume our specimen in which the boteh contains another inside (mother / daughter).