The Arteverk Rug Encyclopedia · Weave Guide
If the Kazak is the bold, big-hearted rug of the Caucasus, the Shirvan is its fine, intricate cousin — closely knotted, packed with small geometric motifs, stars and tiny figures, in deep blue and madder red. Among the most prized of all Caucasian rugs. Here is what a Shirvan rug actually is, where it comes from, and how to choose one.
A Shirvan rug is a hand-knotted wool rug in the tradition of Shirvan, a historic region of the eastern Caucasus along the Caspian Sea, in today's Azerbaijan. Shirvans are the fine, intricate cousins of the bolder Kazak — closely knotted with a flatter, detailed surface, and patterned with small repeating geometric motifs: eight-pointed stars, boteh (paisley), hooked medallions, stylized animals and little figures, often around a central medallion or a prayer niche, in deep indigo blue, ivory, madder red, rust and gold. The fine detail is the hallmark. Antique Shirvans from the 1800s are among the most collectible of all Caucasian rugs. The Shirvan rugs we carry are new pieces hand-knotted in wool in Afghanistan in that tradition. To know what you have, check the product page — it states the real Origin, Construction and Condition (genuine antique Caucasian Shirvans are rare, and we say so plainly when we have one).
The fine rug of the eastern Caucasus
Shirvan is a historic region of the eastern Caucasus, along the Caspian Sea in what is now Azerbaijan. Where the western Caucasus gave us the bold, large-scale Kazak, Shirvan developed something quite different: a finer, more intricate rug, closely knotted with a flatter, detailed surface.
The Shirvan design is a rhythmic mosaic of small motifs — eight-pointed stars, boteh (paisley), hooked medallions, stylized animals and little human figures, often arranged around a central medallion or inside a prayer-rug niche, with richly patterned borders. Antique Shirvans from the 1800s are some of the most collectible Caucasian rugs in the world, and the tradition lives on in the rugs woven today.
What makes a rug a "Shirvan"
Fine, intricate detail
Closely knotted with small repeating motifs — the most detailed of the Caucasian rugs.
Rhythmic geometry
Stars, boteh, hooked medallions, little animals and figures packed across field and borders.
Deep Caucasian color
Indigo blue, ivory, madder red, rust and gold — clear, characterful and beautifully balanced.
One of a kind
Each is hand-knotted by hand, so no two are identical.
Where ours are made — honestly
The Caucasian design, hand-knotted today
The Shirvan design tradition is Caucasian — from the eastern Caucasus. The Shirvan rugs we carry are new pieces hand-knotted in wool in Afghanistan in that tradition, capturing the fine detail and deep color of the originals. (Genuine antique Caucasian Shirvans are rare and highly collectible; when we have one, its true age and origin are stated plainly.)
As always, the rug's own record tells the truth: each product page states the real Origin, Construction and Condition, so you always know exactly what you're buying — a genuine hand-knotted wool rug in the Shirvan tradition.
Six in-stock hand-knotted Shirvan rugs
Fine Caucasian geometry in wool — each a single, hand-knotted, one-of-a-kind piece.
The Copper Skein
One of a kind
The Honeyed Verse
One of a kind
The Spiced Threshold
One of a kind
The Spiced Hush
One of a kind
The Terracotta Almanac
One of a kind
The Gilded Pasture
One of a kindHow to choose a Shirvan rug
Choose it for detail and character
A Shirvan rewards close attention — its small motifs and rich borders give it the soul of a true tribal rug with the refinement of a fine weave. It's wonderful as an accent or area rug in a study, entry or layered room, and the deep Caucasian color brings warmth and history wherever it lands.
Let the color lead
Deep indigo and red feel classic and rich; ivory and rust grounds read lighter and warmer. Because each is one of a kind, see the real colors before you commit — request photos in your light, or book a viewing.
Size it as an accent
Shirvans are most often woven in accent and area sizes — perfect for layering or anchoring a smaller space. See our rug size guide, and because each is one of a kind, tell us your size and we'll hand-pick the closest pieces.
Caring for a Shirvan rug
A hand-knotted wool Shirvan ages beautifully with simple care: vacuum gently with the pile, rotate twice a year, use a rug pad, and blot spills immediately rather than rubbing. Our full rug care guide covers everyday care, spills and storage.
Why buy your Shirvan from Arteverk
- Honest about origin. The Caucasian Shirvan design, hand-knotted in Afghanistan today — origin, construction and age on every page.
- Fine Caucasian character. The detailed, collectible look of the eastern Caucasus, in a genuine hand-knotted wool rug.
- Genuinely one of a kind. Each Shirvan is a single hand-knotted piece. When it sells, it is gone.
- A three-generation rug family, since 1970. We make our own hand-knotted lines with master Afghan weavers, finish them at our facilities in Lahore, and sell direct — the collection the trade trusted for fifty years, now straight to you.
- See it before you commit. Book a live video walkthrough from anywhere, and we ship across the country.
Common questions about Shirvan rugs
What is a Shirvan rug?
A Shirvan rug is a hand-knotted wool rug in the tradition of Shirvan, a historic region of the eastern Caucasus (in today's Azerbaijan). Shirvans are the fine, intricate cousins of the bolder Kazak — closely knotted, with small repeating geometric motifs: stars, boteh, medallions, stylized animals and prayer-rug niches, in deep blue, ivory, red and rust. The Shirvan rugs we carry are hand-knotted in Afghanistan in that tradition.
Where do Shirvan rugs come from?
The Shirvan design comes from the eastern Caucasus — the historic Shirvan region along the Caspian Sea, in today's Azerbaijan. Antique Shirvans from the 1800s are among the most collectible of all Caucasian rugs. The Shirvan rugs we carry today are hand-knotted in Afghanistan in that tradition; we state each rug's real origin and age on its page.
What is the difference between a Shirvan and a Kazak rug?
Both are Caucasian tribal rugs, but they have different characters. A Kazak is bold and large-scale, with big medallions and a thick pile. A Shirvan is finer and more intricate — closely knotted, with small repeating motifs and a flatter, more detailed surface. Think of Shirvan as the refined, detailed Caucasian rug, and Kazak as the bold, graphic one.
What do Shirvan rugs look like?
Intricate and rhythmic — small repeating geometric motifs (stars, boteh, hooked medallions, little animals and figures) packed across the field and borders, often around a central medallion or a prayer niche, in deep blue, ivory, red, rust and gold. The fine detail is the hallmark.
Can I see a Shirvan rug before I buy?
Yes — we'll walk you through any piece on a live video call, and every rug ships free with easy returns.
Find your Shirvan
Browse our hand-knotted Shirvan rugs, or tell us your size and colors and we'll hand-pick a few one-of-a-kind pieces for you.
