Location of Manufacture: Rugs bearing this name come from the highland area of the Caucasus whose centre is the town of Kazak.

Woven by the semi-nomadic shepherds of the region. They are principally antique though a limited number are still made in the area.

General Description: Kazak rugs can be easily distinguished both by their distinctive design and their weave. Weft is always red or brown while the warp is natural. There are always two, three or even more rows of weft threads, between every row of knots, which themselves are elongated lengthways. This weaving peculiarity can readily be seen on the back of the rug. The pile is excellent quality and quite deep. The rugs have earned themselves a reputation of being hard wearing and resistant to damage. Kazak designs can be identified by their formal nature and their linear quality, both of which are quite distinctive. Popular patterns include the central medallion, multiple medallion, the repeated design, and the‘ Eagle Kazak’ design, mention of which has already been made under Karabagh.

Kazak with the central medallion design have the field taken up by a single octagonal medallion which is contained within a square. Another square, normally accentuated by virtue of a lighter background, is placed within the octagonal medallion. Numerous small geometric motifs including the Caucasian eight-pointed star and rosettes made with geometric squares or rectangles fill the remaining area. The multiple medallion pattern is generally confined to runners or long carpets. In this a row of diamond-shaped medallions run down the centre of the carpet. Each medallion is decorated with the same geometric motif in different colours. In appearance it is similar to the Persian style of Fereghan.

Kazaks with the repeated pattern have their field entirely covered by octagons, approximately 8-9 inches (20 cm) in width, each of which has geometric shapes, the outermost one normally consisting of a hooked Greek key. Each octagon is worked in a different combination of colours. The pattern is found both on long and short rugs.

‘Eagle Kazaks’ or Chelaberd is now also associated with Karabagh, and separation between the two is only possible by careful examination of the weaving characteristics, which can clearly be seen on the back of the rug. The design itself takes the form of large geometric medallions within the form of a cross, two arms of which are of equal length and which end in a point. The motif is dark in colour outlined by an irregular white motif. The remaining field is covered with typical Caucasian geometric motifs.

Specification: Loom - horizontal. Warp - Wool. Weft - Wool, dyed red or brown, 2 or 3 rows after every row of knots. Pile - Wool, deep. Knot - Turkish, fairly low density from 50 - 100 knots per square inch. Motifs - formal, geometric, central medallion, repeated pattern, ‘Eagle’.