Afshar rug, Exhibition ‘South Persian Tribal Rugs’

Afshar rug
from southern Persia
early 20th century
Size: 170 x 118 cm

The Afshar are a turkic speaking tribal group which incorporates both settled and nomadic people. They are of turkic stock, originally from the province of Azerbaidjan 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, and the weavers of this vibrant small ivory ground rug, inhabit the area south of Kirman in southern Persia. The appearance of small stylised animals in the field contribute to its undoubted charm.