This is one of the most fascinating rugs I have ever seen. An archaic antique Armenian Kars with serpents, camels and human figures. The camels highlighted the importance of Kars on the Silk Road in the 19th century.

Look at the large facing serpents motif at the bottom. Do you notice the opposing serpents in the negative space? Both facing and opposing serpents have been used in Ancient Greek, Anatolian and Armenian art. The Gohar rug has opposing serpents. An Armenian or Greek clergy staff has facing serpents. The purpose of the serpents are to protect what is between the serpents. It can be either a “tree of life”, a cross or something else of spiritual significance.