This striking antique Caucasian Akstafa runner is an outstanding example of the bold tribal weaving tradition of the western Caucasus. Akstafa runners are highly regarded for their powerful geometric compositions, vivid vegetable-dyed colors, and distinctive stylized bird motifs, all of which are beautifully represented in this carpet.
The technique of making a soumak involves wrapping wefts over four warps before drawing them back under the last two warps. The process is repeated from selvedge to selvedge. Soumaks tend to be finely woven, and although not as durable as piled carpets, they are stronger than kilims.
