Antique Chyly Runner Rug

AGE: 1850-1875
PRICE: Please Inquire
Here is a near mint condition circa 1870-1880 Chyly runner measuring 3’2” X 12’ 5”. The pile is original length and I have first hand information from the field that this rug had been used only as the back of a divan for three or four generations. This rug even has a fair amount of its original end finish plaiting intact. The warps are dark brown animal hair, probably wool. The selvages are in original condition. This rug has a few very small repairs but nothing that can be seen as the rug is near full pile. There are a great many vegetable dye colors including a rich aubergine and a very saturated aqua blue. The deep saturated madder field is indicative of pre 1880 Caucasian weavings. The introduction of cheap synthetic red dyes after 1880 led to the near extinction of the madder dye industry. As a result of this hurtful competition, madder dyed wool became expensive and less common after that date. This rug has some of the best wool and most saturated madder red that I have ever seen. This is an absolutely grade "A" Caucasian collectible and a very good investment. This rug sould reasonably fetch approximately 20K at any major rug auction today.