Lot 48, Lesghi, published in Schürmann “Caucasian Rugs” 1990 plate 128, 9ft. 2in. x 3ft. 9in., Caucasus dated by Schürmann 17th/18th century, condition: fair, areas of low pile with foundation visible, rewoven ends, some old repairs, wool warp, wool weft, wool pile, Estimate: € 18,000 – 22,000, The complex and curious main design appears both heraldic and related to the iconography found in the earlier “Dragon” carpets. As Dr. Ulrich Schürmann also noted when he published this rug as plate 128 in his famous “Caucasian Rugs” in 1974, this piece is most likely the model for several groups of later Caucasian rugs with similar, but much smaller and less magnificent designs. Schürmann dated it to the 17th/18th century, which is quite believable considering that the best and earliest of those later rugs pre-date 1800 and were most likely made around 1750-1775. Here it is interesting to notice the secondary design, which fills the spaces between each of the main designs. It makes one wonder why it does not appear in any of the later rugs. The wing-like extensions protruding from the lower parts of the main design are also missing from the patterns of later rugs. Auction: September 16th 2014 2pm, http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog_gallery/57235