Bakshaish carpet

Bakshaish carpet
from northern Persia
late 19th century
Size: 450 x 275 cm

Bakshaish is a village near Heriz in north west Persia which produced rugs and large carpets until the end of last century. Whilst many of these rugs display designs similar to those of neighbouring Heriz, the products of Bakshaish are generally finer in construction and floppier to handle.
The most striking feature of these carpets are the bold angular designs full of vitality and character unlike the large carpets made in city workshops. This piece shows a very dramatic central field of floating cloud bands surrounded by an inner border stylised script. It is a rare and beautifully decorative room size carpet in excellent condition.