Persian Afshar Rug

Persian Afshar Rug

reference:  
7136

dimensions:  
173 x 131 cm

Description

This Persian Afshar rug dates to the late 19th century. It was made in the area south of Kerman in southern Iran, possibly Sirjan, where there is one of the main concentrations of Afshar tribes in Iran.

The patterns in Afshar rugs are highly diverse (for a discussion of Kermani as well as Turkoman influences on Afshar rugs on this website, see https://www.christopherleggeorientalcarpets.com/products/view/white-ground-persian-afshar-rug/ ). They are much more identifiable through the colours and the weave. The soft colours of this rug are certainly typical of Afshar rugs, as is the light red double weft over a deeply depressed warp.

The centre medallion is formed by a striking stepped cruciform motif on a light blue ground, which is sparsely decorated with diamonds and other geometric designs derived from leaf shapes. It is flanked at the bottom and top ends by a grid of small flower heads. Four further cruciform shapes decorating the corners echo the shape in the centre. Two half diamonds formed by stripes of squares and facing inwards towards the centre are a defining feature on the sides. Like the Afshar rug on this website mentioned above, this carpet, too, is characterised by an interesting combination of floral and geometric motifs.

The quality of the wool is superb. The rug is woven in wool on a wool foundation with a Persian knot open to the right. The pile is evenly deep over all, giving the rug a good weight and a heavy handle.

£2,950