Well balanced Perepedil rug with unusual symbols/motifs. Note the whie palmettes with double headed birds (?) and the 'exploding'flowers throughout the central spine of the rug. Fully asymmethrically rendered animals and symbols all over the field ... Caucasus, 19th century, perfect condition, glowing, deep colors, extremly fine weave, 195x130 cm. Please ask for more information, if interested. More beauties: http://rugrabbit.com/profile/5160 About the main symbol of the rug: the 'Ram's horn': "There are many Persian carpets with the ram’s horn motif on it and the symbolism behind it is fertility, power and masculinity. The importance of this symbol comes from millennia ago when the Age of Aries began around 2160bc and brought with it a whole host of new kingdoms and empires, until the Age of Pisces started around 0bc. “Like the mythical phoenix, which arose in its own ashes, the ram was chosen as a natural symbol of resurrection because of its ability, when shorn, to replenish its stock of wool. “The Ram, who is rich with an abundance of wool and, when shorn of this, with a fresh supply, will ever cherish hopes”, writes Manilius in the first century bc.” The Sacred Ram was considered a manifestation of the Sun-god and its creative power; a symbol of the resurrected Sun. Aries heralded the end of the season of death, and was thus also a symbol of fertility, new life and creative energy. For the ancient civilizations the ram was also a never-ending source of a valuable natural raw material, wool, providing them with a means to create a source of warmth and comfort. Having and caring for these animals was seen as a huge honour and important task. There are various references of the “good shepherd” looking after his “flock” that we still use today." Source: Ghorbany