SHEMAKHA
Synonyms.—Soumak, Sumak, Kashmir, Cashmere.
Why So Named.—After the city of Shemakha, the capital and principal commercial city of the ancient Khanate of Shirvan, which was ceded to Persia in 1813. Soumak is a corruption of the word Shemakha. Sometimes called Kashmir or Cashmere on account of the resemblance of the weave to that of the Cashmere shawl.
By Whom Made.—By the Nomadic tribes of Shirvan.
Stitches.—In antiques ten to twelve rows of stitches to the inch. In moderns seven is the average.
Warp.—Always wool. Usually white in the antiques and coarse grayish brown in the moderns.
Woof.—Always wool.
Weave.—Woven in the same primitive fashion as of old. The only pileless Oriental rug besides the Ghileems. The different colored woof threads are twisted over and under the warp threads by means of a needle in such a way that each stitch is made diagonally, taking in two of the warp threads and leaving every alternate row of stitches to face in the opposite direction after the herring-bone pattern. On the under side the shaggy ends of the colored woof threads are left loose. They never have any lustre.
Sides.—Usually overcast in dark wool, sometimes selvaged.
Ends.—A long fringe at both ends formed by the loose warp ends. Usually white in the antiques and grayish brown in the moderns.
Border.—From two to five border stripes, usually four, the main one carrying a zigzag design. The Georgian border design is common, as is also the Chinese fret.
Prevailing Colors.—Light and dark blue, green, yellow, red, orange, black, and white. The field is most frequently of dark blue or red.
Dyes.—Good in antiques and poor in moderns.
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.
THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED
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.