A very interesting stripe, found almost exclusively in rugs from the districts of Daghestan and Shirvan, is the Cufic pattern of Plate [J], Fig. 19. It is particularly characteristic of old Daghestans and Kabistans, but must have been introduced through Shirvan from Armenia, as it can be traced through a gradation of changes to stripes of Cufic characters used in Asia Minor rugs of the XV Century.
Plate [J], Fig. 20 represents a “bracket-chain” pattern that probably originated in Asia Minor, but is occasionally found in the rugs of Caucasia.
In Plate [J], Fig. 21 is a stripe representing scorpions, that is very rarely seen in Shirvans; and in Fig. 22 is a stripe representing birds, sometimes seen in Bakus.
Secondary and Tertiary Stripes.—As the pattern shown in Plate [K], Fig. 1 (opp. Page 230) shows in profile flowers representing carnations, it has been called the “carnation pattern.” It is very common in Shirvans, Kabistans, and Daghestans.
Less frequently seen are the rectangular vine with a design like a three-leaf clover, shown in Plate [K], Fig. 2, and the very graceful vine with leaf and flower shown in Fig. 3, both of which are indiscriminately used in place of the carnation pattern in rugs with the same primary stripe. The latter is the most dainty and graceful Caucasian floral stripe. It is found in pieces of the Kabistan and Daghestan classes made over a century and a half ago, and is probably of Iranian extraction.
Another floral pattern from the same district is seen in Plate [K], Fig. 4. It often accompanies the Georgian stripe of Daghestans and Soumaks, with which its stiff drawing harmonises.
Likewise, the stripe shown in Fig. 5 is found now and then in the same classes of rugs. Similar rosettes are sometimes represented in Persian stripes that show the influence of nomadic weavers.
Simple forms of the running vine which are seen mostly in the rugs of Southern Caucasia are represented in Plate [K], Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. All are old patterns. The third appears in an Asia Minor carpet woven about 1250 a. d. The fourth is found in some of the oldest remaining rugs from Southern Caucasia, that date back two and a half centuries; and a pattern similar to the last is seen in some Persian carpets made about 1650 a. d.
Plate [K], Figs. 11 and 12 represent stripes sometimes seen in Chichis and a few other Caucasian rugs.
A very simple pattern, but one that at times is very attractive on account of its delicate colouring, is shown in Plate [K], Fig. 13, and another is shown in Fig. 14. Both are used principally in rugs of Southern Caucasia.