Unusually Fine Qashgai'i 1870 Antique Tribal rug short term reduction

Bakshaish carpets are considered by most dealers and connoisseurs to be in a special category of their own, rare and uniquely beautiful. In recent years they have risen steeply in v...

Featured as an exemplar of Afshar tribal creativity in James Opie's notable book " Tribal Rugs " this extremely rare collector's piece was used in a lecture series we conducted on the possible albeit unexamined influence of tribal rugs on early 20th century European painting . The Afshars during the 19th century were amongst the dominant five nomadic groups in Iran and unquestionably the most daringly creative, and probably the most prolific in weaving output . Though the vast majority of their carpets exhibit traditional , more angular tribal patterns, this example is an extraordinary tribute to one female weaver as designer . There seems no precedent for the remarkable move into mind bending forms which veer off from the norm , which make it a high collectible and unquestionable investment piece . The achievement of two elements stand out : colour and design execution . The rich and varied natural dye colours are deep and powerful and include a range from the treasured eggplant , through a provocative orange , yellows ( saffron), pale peach, to three unusual blues and a rare rust brown . Green is also sensitively applied to the palette . The design also represents a departure from all norms before or since amongst Afshar rugs . The central medallions have been altered to create an almost moving, slightly hallucinatory effect ; the graceful tumbling of coloured leaves or vines is singular in its presentation, graceful yet very much alive . Most interesting are the designs within the medallion which seem to be an evocation of the ancient Chinese dragon and phoenix symbols . This theory gains a bit more traction when you look at the upright shrine type figure rising up alongside the medallions - these appear Chinese , as well, in a semi- abstract way-- influences such as these had been travelling across thewide continent of Asia for millenia . The borders are classic traditional Afshar , noted for their lovely re-creation of flower symbols , interlinking , and slightly irregular , showing the artistic seredipity of the artist/ weaver . The colours here too, particularly the blues and yellows are nothing short of spectacular . The amount of detailled hand work suggests that this piece would have required at least two years work on a ground loom- a humbling thought in thinking about the nomadic life in the 19th century. This rug is of a size and of such a beauty that in the right open modern decor, it could well occupy a wall space of distinction, as would a modern art canvas...

An antique Persian Afshar accent rug handmade during the Early 20th century. Measures: 4' 5" x 6' 7"

Nice antique Afshar rug with beautiful geometrical and stylized floral design and beautiful natural colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on wool foundation.