KAZAK SEVAN. An important, rare, and exceptional wool velour carpet on a wool foundation, featuring a design of stylized branches adorned with a large central medallion in the shape of a shield and an emerald-green Armenian cross, ivory, and brick-red, inlaid with ram’s-horn-shaped hooks, hunters’ arrows, and multicolored star-shaped flowers on a ruby-red field. Main border in ivory with an original design of rows of geometrically stylized insect shells in polychrome. Caucasus, Armenia, late 19th century. Length: 247 cm - Width: 176 cm Provenance: Private collection assembled by Mr. F., a French industrialist who lived in several countries in the South Caucasus and Russia before and after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Bibliography: Ian Bennett, Caucasian Rugs from Three Lebanese Collections; Ulrich Schurmann, *Caucasian Rugs*; Edwin Gans-Ruedin, *The Caucasian Rug*; Albert Achdjian, Armen Hengeldian, Roger Bechirian. Appraisal conducted by Mr. Frank KASSAPIAN - 06 58 68 52 26