Afshar rug, Exhibition ‘South Persian Tribal Rugs’

Afshar rug

from southern Persia

circa 1900

Size: 145 x 126 cm

The Afshar are a turkic speaking tribe which incorporates both settled and nomadic people. They are of turkic stock, originally  from the province of Azerbidjan in the northwest of Persia, and are believed to have been dispersed initially by Shah Tahmasp in the 16th century and subsequently by other rulers who also saw them as a threat to their own stability. Whilst some groups later settled in other parts of north Persia and Turkey, the group best known for its fine carpets inhabit the area south of Kirman in southern Persia. Two large central medallions of stylised floral motifs float upon a field of indigo. Such compositions are shared with neighbouring nomadic groups such as the Qashqa’i and Khamseh.