Antique Kazakh Rug

Three big medallions, hooked S-shapes everywhere, and a red that has made up its mind.

This antique Kazakh rug comes from the Caucasus and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is wool. Kazakh rugs were woven in Caucasus villages for use at home as floor coverings and for trade, and are known for their bold scale and strong, simple drawing. Here, navy and slate blue medallions stack up a red field, each holding hooked forms in ivory around a small center panel. Stepped chevrons fill the sides. An ivory border carries a row of many-pointed stars. It measures 96 by 65 inches.

Quiet rooms should consider themselves warned.