Lot 163

ARDABIL RUG

An interesting design, known especially from the eastern Caucasus, but also from Persian urban workshops. Five symmetrical vertical bands are filled with so-called "drops of life," a pear-shaped motif known in Persian as "boteh" (in Persian, the word "búte" literally means "plant"; in English, this complex motif is often known as "paisley" and has been interpreted in many different ways). A total of fifty of these elements are filled with a rhombus-shaped diamond medallion, which represents the upper flower of the inner plant in the drop, but is also a magical symbol of happiness. All this is surrounded by a multiple floral border with eight thin lines and three zigzags, symbolizing flowing water.