Antique Bakshaish Runner

Period: 19th Century
Origin: Bakshaish
Dimensions: 100 x 430 cm

This rare 19th century Bakshaish runner highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring an elongated ivory field densely populated with repeating botanical and tribal motifs. This structural balance between the narrow, architectural scale of the runner and the fluid sequence of stylized floral sprays reflects the pinnacle of the Northwest Persian village weaving tradition. Bakshaish textiles are world-renowned for their sophisticated, almost modern artistic sensibility, often favoring expansive designs and a softer, more harmonious aesthetic than their more rigid Heriz neighbors.

The color palette is masterfully balanced featuring a primary ivory ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of terracotta red, sky blue, and camel. These rich and enduring tones achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 130 years ago exhibit a chromatic depth and a characteristic “painterly” quality that are hallmarks of the finest 19th century productions. The inclusion of a multi-layered border system, including a primary sky-blue border decorated with a rhythmic sequence of geometric rosettes, creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and technical finesse of the village weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun local wool with a characteristically supple handle and a soft, even pile. The exceptional clarity of the angular floral outlines and the presence of significant abrash within the terracotta and blue sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately this Bakshaish runner stands as a premier example of Persian village art representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors and enthusiasts of Northwest Persian heritage.

Stock No : 1048

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