James Cohen

Kurd Bidjar Kelleh‏

James Cohen — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:36:15 +0000

When Bidjars are a little more coarsely and unevenly woven, as this one is, they are referred to as ‘Kurdish’ and to my mind are much more preferable to their more finely woven city counterpart. The design is the well known ‘Mina Khani’, so few survive these days in any condition, let alone in excellent full pile. A lovely range of happy, bright colours, typical of the Kurds, this rug will look simply great in any room. At time of photography, in need of a good clean and some minor restoration work to the corners. 99% original full pile.

17th century ‘Transylvanian’ prayer‏

James Cohen — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:14:51 +0000

A so called ‘Transylvanian’ prayer rug, named after the area of Hungary/Roumania they were predominantly found in, these rugs were actually woven in various small villages in Western Turkey, near the town of Melas. Easily identifiable by the broad border with sickle shaped leaves and round flowers, this example has a very unusual inverted water jug hanging from the niche. The fire engine red field is stunning, with the baby blue spandrels and soft yellow border. In good condition, with some recent repairs and some old faded repairs and patches through the bottom border, missing outer guard border. There is good pile over most of the rug, which for a rug around 350 years old is pretty good going. Very handsome and striking rug.

Balouch Mina Khani‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:38:05 +0000

I have re-listed this fabulous rug because I was not happy with the quality of the pictures. I could also tell from the sheer lack of interest that this beautiful rug was being poorly displayed !

In excellent condition, with full, oily pile, this rare Balouch has the classic dark and rich colours of it’s genre. It has also those majestic kilim ends, which so often become de-attached through use (and abuse) and the original multi-ply goat hair selvedges. For the main picture, I have used a detail of the central flower head, which is the only one to use this precise shade of mid-blue. A beautiful, beautiful rug.

Green Field Senneh, with Silk Sidecords‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:50:09 +0000

Generally speaking, my heart does not belong to fine, city weavings, but every now and then, along comes an exception. This beautiful rug, with its abrashed green ground is just such a rug. Clearly woven to be a special rug, it has richly patinated pile and purple dyed silk wrapped around the sidecords. The condition is outstanding too, largely because it has been hanging proudly on someones wall, probably for a good part of its life. Full pile, untouched and with complete original kilim ends and sides, I totally recommend this rug.

Small Caucasian Soumac with Allover Design‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:11:39 +0000

Small soumacs generally have two or three large, heavy looking medallions. This one has a very pretty allover floral design, with small animals here and there. Now in excellent condition, this rug has had some expert repair carried out and is clean and floor ready.

Khamseh Chicken Bordered Rug

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:34:30 +0000

The chicken rugs of the Khamseh more usually have their feathered friends throughout the field or in the medallions but for this rug, they have usurped the usual order of things and woven a colourful procession of birds into the main border and filled the field with jiggling botehs. An unusual and attractive rug, in a very useful size. Reasonably good condition, areas of lower pile, some small faded reweaves and re-overcast here and there sidecords.

Fine Khamseh‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:16:38 +0000

This rug has spent most of its life hanging on a wall, evidenced by the curtain rings sewn on the back, and the astonishingly good condition of the pile. Once a fairly commonplace rug, this example is now increasingly harder to find and is priced at a comparatively low level. If looked after, it should only increase in value. The large medallion occupies most of the field area in a strong graphical display, while every available space is filled with a cornucopia of different flowers. A very attractive and lively rug from South West Persia (Iran) with velvety low pile. Mostly in original condition, including both kilim ends, very minor old faded repiling along one edge.

Jaf Kurd Rug‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:04:50 +0000

Jafs are well known for making the colourful diamond saddlebags, much less so for making rugs. Woven by a migratory tribal group on the Iran/Iraq borders, rugs were harder to carry, I suppose, and therefore less desirable. This one has the characteristic thick pile and glossy wool that Kurds are famous for. Published in my second Jaf catalogue, Jaf 2.
In very good condition, both ends have been expertly rewoven.

Piled Afshar Mafrash‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:47:44 +0000

Piled South Persian transport bags are fairly unusual and particularly from the Afshar region. This example has been opened up and has lost its’ two smaller, end panels but is otherwise in impressively complete condition. A very striking piece of art, that has been published in Brian MacDonalds ‘Treasures from the black Tent’.

Ersari Ensi‏

James Cohen — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:30:17 +0000

This is a rug modelled on what was originally made to hang in the doorway of the yurt and for that reason, is called an Ensi. I think that once these nomadic weavers discovered how popular they are in the West, they started to make them as a cottage industry, which is what I suspect this one to be. I have little faith that this was actually used as a door rug, call me cynical if you like. It is, however, well made, with glowing soft wool and a higher than average range of colours including two different yellows and a grass green.
The condition is very good, with some low areas and small amounts of expert repiling. Original ends and sides, clean and ready to use on the floor.