Antique Circasian Rug (1890's)

This antique Circassian Rug dates from approximately 1890 and was purchased from an estate on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC in the 1970's. It measures approximately 3' x 5' and has a wonderful patina. It is hand knotted and was part of our own residence at Faulkner House for many years.

From Wikipedia: Of the two main groups of Circassians, the Adyghians (Circassians proper, or Lower Circassians), who numbered about 165,000 in the late 20th century, live mostly in the republics of Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia in Russia. The Kabardians (or Upper Circassians) number about 345,000 and live mostly in the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. Circassian communities also exist in Anatolian Turkey (150,000) and Syria (35,000), with smaller groups in Jordan, Iraq, and Iran.

Many Circassians live in the plain immediately to the north of the Caucasus, others live in the mountain piedmont, and a few live in the upland and mountainous regions. Their traditional economy is based on mixed pastoralism and farming, supplemented by fruit growing. In their traditional social organization, princes and nobles controlled the herds and soil. The mass of people were organized in a complex system of subordinate ranks. Slavery was maintained until recent times.

Officially the Circassians are Sunni Muslims. Ancient cults associated with thunder, fertility rites, and sacred groves, however, were reported in modern times.