Very rare and archaic rug of the nomadic wandering tribes, Qashqai / Fars Tribes, third quarter of the 19th century.
Origin: Qashqai Tribe, Fars (southwestern Iran)
Date: Circa 1860-70
Size: 145 x 207 cm
Technique: Hand-knotted, symmetrical knot (Turkish knot)
Materials: Wool on wool warp and weft
Colors: Natural vegetable dyes (madder, indigo, walnut, pomegranate).
The sharp lines in the motifs and the sharp geometric definition of the figures indicate a high knot density (estimated to be over 100–150 knots per square inch), which is typical of high-quality 19th-century Qashqai.
Natural abrash in shades of blue and red, a sign of natural-colored vegetable dyes. Warm, deep madder red. Indigo in the dark blue sections of the medallion (with slight shading), golden yellow and ocher tones, probably from pomegranate or walnut.
Balanced composition but with minor asymmetries typical of authentic nomadic manufacture. Central medallion with double-hook motif and radial star decoration, rare in open field rugs.
Artistic and symbolic analysis
This rare Qashqai rug is embellished with a central rhomboidal medallion in dark indigo, with an elaborate geometric inner design in golden and beige tones. At the four corners of the field are spandrels (corners) with very rich floral decorations on a blue background.
The robbia red main field is adorned with "tree of life" motifs, small potted trees, and tribal symbols that represent prosperity, growth, and continuity. There are also stylized birds and abstract zoomorphic figures (perhaps lizards or geckos), typical of Qashqai symbology, linked to spiritual protection.
The main border, rare for this origin, consists of a sequence of "boteh" (flaming drops) motifs, indicating fertility and cyclicity. The secondary borders show a rich chromatic alternation.
The central medallion is finely articulated, with a "double crochet" design and an almost star-like shape inside: a symbol of harmony and protection.
The motifs around the medallion are stylized trees of life, repeated rhythmically. They represent fertility, the cycle of life, and continuity between generations.
Some angular and rhomboidal elements (near the floral motifs) are small stylized birds or "chameleons", also common in Qashqai symbology. The birds symbolize freedom, travel, and transition. Chameleons or geckos (when present) symbolize protection from negative energies.
Composition:
The medallion is perfectly centered and well balanced, with a tight frame. The arrangement of the motifs shows an expert hand and a free tribal design. Imperfect symmetry is a sign of authentic nomadic production, not urban manufacture.
NOTES: belongs to a small number of Qashqai rugs with a particularly delicate design, woven by nomadic tribes with soft wool dyed in a wide range of wonderful natural colors. A less refined rug, dated 1865, is published in James Opie's text, "Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia" Oregon, 1981, pp.80-83. A further smaller example on a white background dated 1270AH 1853AD is published by Hadi Maktabi, "Lost & found", Hali, pp.78-79. A third is on display at the Young Museum in San Francisco. This demonstrates some production of Quashaqi tribal rugs of this quality in the mid-19th century. Ours, with its very sharp design, was likely made in the third quarter of the century. The field decorated with stylized birds and Boteh and the black Boteh motif border are extremely rare. In excellent condition, including pile. Free of obvious and/or significant restorations.
Bibliography: Doris Eder-Erich Aschenbrenner, Oriental Carpets – Caucasian and Persian, Sonzogno, 1989.
In compliance with the provisions of the New Code of Cultural Heritage, the selling company provides at the time of sale a detailed written photographic guarantee of originality and provenance of the works sold. The data with which the works are described and then contained in the written guarantees are express determinations resulting from accurate and documented technical/historical/artistic investigations, including expert assessment.
