Qashqa’i Shekarlu rug
southern Persia
circa 1900
Size: 220 x 183 cm
Despite its seemingly ‘full piled‘ condition, the wide range of natural dyes used in the old rug would indicate some age.
Rugs of these squarish proportions, featuring this very distinctive border design and the use of orange/red wefts are generally attributed to the Shekarlu, a subgroup that no longer appears on lists of the Qashqa’i taifeh .
However, there are certain attributes which connect the rug also with the work of the Khamseh Confederacy, in particular the darker palette and use of dark brown warp threads.
The Shekarlu are believed to have been Luri people who, in earlier times, came under the umbrella of the Qashqa’i Confederacy.
