This is an AMAZING, finely woven Armenian Marasali pictorial rug circa 1850s with a beautiful maiden holding an instrument. It was difficult to figure out what instrument it was. Originally I thought Kanoun. Someone mentioned Saz. Even a Dumbelek. But my wife who is a musician finally solved the puzzle. It is an Armenian version of a Lyre or “Knar”.

This rug also dispels the myth that only Muslims wove Marasali rugs. Many Armenians lived in the East Caucasus and they wove many rugs including Marasalis.