Antique Afshar Carpet

Period: Late 19th Century
Origin: Southeast Iran
Dimensions: 244 x 425 cm

This rare late 19th century Persian Afshar rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a dense, all-over “lattice” of multi-colored floral rosettes and stylized botanical sprigs anchored within a saturated midnight indigo field. This structural balance between the deep, luminous ground and the intricate, repeating tribal motifs reflects the pinnacle of the Afshar nomadic weaving tradition in Southeast Persia. Rugs of this antiquity are world-renowned for their sophisticated “Morgi” or “bird” and floral derivatives, which translate classical urban Persian aesthetics into a bold, semi-nomadic geometric language.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary midnight indigo ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of madder red, ivory, and soft sky blue. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 130 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest late 19th-century Kerman-region tribal productions. The inclusion of a wide, madder-red primary border—decorated with a rhythmic sequence of geometric floral cartouches and interlocking “S” guard borders—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and the distinctive technical finesse of the Afshar weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun local wool with a characteristically fine, clipped pile and a firm, resilient handle. The exceptional clarity of the angular outlines—specifically the minute details within the floral lattices and the precisely executed geometric borders—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash throughout the indigo field definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece as an authentic late 19th-century Afshar. Ultimately, this rug stands as a premier example of Persian tribal art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1051

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