Description
This is a new take on the classic Bordjalou Kazak Rug. Mehriban is known for experimenting with colors and changing patters to fit her vision. In this example you can see that instead of going with the traditional deep red field she swapped it out with a rich blue field. The central motif in this rug is comprised of large hexagonal shapes that contain what look to e an ancient tribal symbol of the Bordjalou region. Kazak rugs have always derived their beauty from the simplicity of their big, bold geometric elements which draws the eye over and over again and invites the imagination to interpret. To me it looks as though I am getting a birds eye view of above boats meandering down a river.
The Weaver
Name: Mehriban Saparova
Age: 55 (born 1962)
Children: 1 son and 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren
Village: Kosalar, Tetriskaro, Republic of Georgia
Mehriban learned to weave at a young age from her mom. As an only child, there was not much competition for her mom’s attention at that loom. But like most women in her village, she abandoned weaving a couple decades ago. Only recently did she begin to weave again, and she recruited a couple sisters-in-law to join her. Mehriban and her husband spend their summers in their home village of Kosalar, but they spend the winter with their son’s family in Baku, Azerbaijan. Every family in her village have sons and daughters, sister and brothers who left the village in search of work. Most have moved to Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Kosalar is quickly losing its population, as the young adults leave to earn money, and the older generation passes away.
