DYES.--Good in antiques and poor in moderns.
[Illustration: SHEMAKHA, SUMAK OR CASHMERE RUG Size 6'2" × 4'9" Property of Mr. H. J. Gaylord, Syracuse, N. Y.]
DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Daghestan and Shirvan and have remained unchanged for centuries. All designs are outlined in black and the Mongolian influence is quite perceptible, the knot of destiny, mountains, etc., being very frequently used, together with the usual Caucasian designs such as the latch hook, octagon, and various other geometrical devices. Animals are frequently portrayed.
SIZES.--From three to seven by four to twelve feet. Seldom larger than seven by ten. Antiques were not made in carpet sizes.
PRICES.--From $0.75 to $1.75 per square foot.
REMARKS.--Durable, but they lack animation compared with other rugs.
Unlike other classes, the Shemakha has no pile but has a flat stitch made by winding the dyed woof thread around the warp yarn. This piece is one of the finest, having thirteen stitches to the inch. Like in most rugs of its class, the designs are typically Caucasian, among which are freely interspersed plenty of eight-pointed stars, swastikas and knots of destiny. The latter motif is nearly always present in this variety.
WHY SO NAMED.--After the district of Shirvan, south of Daghestan and extending from the Caspian Sea to the river Kur. Marketed at Baku, the trade centre of the district.
BY WHOM MADE.--Woven by the Lesgie tribes.
KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally five to nine; number to square inch thirty to one hundred eight.
WARP.--Generally white or gray wool or a mixture of the two in the antiques, while the moderns are of brown or white wool or a mixture of the two. Sometimes the warp is of cotton or goats' hair.
WOOF.--Usually wool in the antiques. In modern pieces, usually of wool, occasionally of cotton and sometimes cotton and wool strands will be twisted together in such a manner as to cause more or less puckering of the fabric, especially after same has been wet.
ENDS.--Usually both ends are finished alike with a short web and an extra large fringe of loose or knotted warp threads.
BORDER.--Three to five border stripes, generally four, one wide one and several narrow ones. As a rule they carry small designs either of a Caucasian or Persian character. The latch hook, the tarantula, the scorpion, and the wine glass designs are common.