A Shahsavan Sumak, No. 147380-148x108cm

147380 | 148 × 108 cm
Silk on cotton

This fine flatweave is crafted using the traditional Sumak technique, in which coloured silk yarns are wrapped around cotton warps, secured by a plain weft after each row. Unlike typical warp-faced kilims, Sumak allows for more intricate designs, making the rug firmer and one-sided due to the yarn ends left on the reverse.

Woven entirely from memory, this piece, woven by Shahsavan girls of Azerbaijan, reflects inherited patterns and the weaver’s interpretation of nature and nomadic life. The shimmering silk detailing adds a delicate richness to a textile rooted in tribal tradition.

Silk on cotton, handwoven using the Sumak technique.