antique pre - soviet caucasian rug from the region of Zakatal, a group of villages in north west Azerbaijan. The region is bordered to the north and east by Dagestan and to the west by Georgia. The dates read either 1311 (most probable) or 1331 (unlikely) which equate to 1895 or 1912. The warp is hand spun, undyed, wool and the weft is also wool supplemented by extremely fine white cotton in places. Pile is low with enough height to show the rich, beautiful natural colours in most places. It is lower in other smaller areas. a fascinating piece. Reference 3355. Size 163 x 116 cms., or 5ft. 4ins. x 3ft. 10ins. Euros 950.