KABISTAN
Synonyms.—Cabistan, Kuban.
Why So Named.—After the district of Kuba, which lies southwest of Daghestan near the Caspian Sea, where they are made.
Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to sixteen; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch eighty to two hundred twenty-four.
Warp.—Sometimes cotton, sometimes wool. They differ from the Daghestans in that the latter always have wool warp.
Woof.—Usually cotton. Occasionally wool.
Nap.—Short wool, closely clipped, seldom lustrous.
KABISTAN RUG
LOANED BY H. B. CLAFLIN & CO.
Weave.—Closely woven, equal to the Daghestan in that respect.
Sides.—Nearly always overcast with cotton threads or selvaged with cotton. Some of the modern ones are finished with a cording.
Ends.—Narrow web with loose or twisted warp threads.
Border.—From three to five border stripes. The carnation in profile is one of the most commonly employed border designs.
Prevailing Colors.—Rich but not brilliant reds, greens, blues, and yellows, with considerable white.
Dyes.—Like all other Caucasian rugs many of the modern ones are more or less chemically dyed.
Designs.—Similar to the Shirvan. The floral forms are usually connected by meander lines, in which respect they differ from those of the Shirvan. An attempt to render geometrical ornament in a floral manner. Small conventional flowers thrown broadcast. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, S forms, diamonds, stars, birds, and animals are all introduced. A field of large rectilineal pear designs arranged in diagonal rows is common.
Sizes.—Usually oblong. Can be had in larger sizes than the Daghestan. From two and one-half to five by five to twenty feet.
Prices.—From $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot.
Remarks.—Often sold for the Daghestan. The most durable of the moderate priced rugs. They are thin and flexible and lie well.
THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED
The field is filled with four peculiar oblong medallions and geometrical devices of various kinds, such as the Greek key, diamonds, crosses, etc. All of the border designs are characteristically Caucasian.