History of the Pazaryk Rug

By: Tony Sidney

The oldest complete area rug was discovered by Russian Professor
Sergei Rudenko in 1949 during the excavation of burial mounds in
Southern Siberia, close to the border with Mongolia. The burial
mounds were located in the Altai Mountains in the Pazeryk Valley.

Before the Pazaryk Rug Was Discovered

Before the rug was discovered in 1949, it had been preserved
since the 5th century BC. Just how the rug remained in tact is
very interesting.

The rug had been preserved in the permafrost since the 5th
century BC. Soon after the rug had been placed in the burial
mound of a Sythian chieftain, grave robbers raided the tomb.
Fortunately the robbers ignored the rug, and in their pursuit
actually helped to protect the rug from decay

Through the opening, which the robbers left behind, water poured
into the mound and froze, thus protecting the rug from decay.

Called the Pazyryk rug, it is 180 X 198 (5'11 X 6'6) has a
velvety woolen pile, finely knotted (An Average of between 200
to 270 symmetrical knots to the square inch.)

The rugs' central field is a deep madder red colour and it has
five borders. The primary, or widest, border contains horsemen.
Each horse has an embroided saddlecloth of which the design
resembles the actual Pazaryk rug. The secondary inner border
contains rows of deer.

The central field depicts repeating quatrefoils, which can be
found in the stonework at the entrances to some Assyrian
Palaces. The design suggests an Achaemenid Persian origin. (A
Persian Dynasty, which reigned from 559 BC TO 330 BC)

The Pazaryk Rug Today

There is some dispute as to the exact origin of the piece. Did
the Pastoral Nomads who owned this valuable fine rug make it
themselves or acquire it by means of trade?

It is now kept in the Hermitage Museum of Leningrad.

Although there have been fragments of older and finer examples
of handknotted rugs discovered, these pieces were too tattered
to be successfully identified.

The Pazaryk Rug has been reproduced in a 100% Worsted Wool
Machine made Wilton rug.

The Royal Keshan Pazaryk Rug is available in two colourways and
various sizes. The original colourway can be seen at
http://www.rugstorene.co.uk/product.aspx?id=1197 and the brand
new colouring of the Antique Pazaryk Rug at
http://www.rugstorene.co.uk/product.aspx?id=1258.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

The new colouring of the Antique Pazaryk Rug can be seen at www.rugstorene.co.uk/product.aspx?id=1258. Rugstore NE (www.rugstorene.co.uk) offers a large range of area rugs from all over the world.

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