Afshar

Of all the nomadic tribes of Persia, the Afshar from the Kirman region in the south, together with the neighbouring Qashqai from Fars, are known as the best carpet weavers. This magnificent example shows one of the most striking traditional Afshar designs, realised with remarkable flair by an exceptionally skilled weaver. The medallion composition, with its characteristic secondary ornamentation of diamonds and stylised floral and foliate elements, is rendered in the sumptuous Afshar palette peculiar to the master dyers of the tribe, resulting in an end result of graphic power and decorative beauty. Unusual here is also the white background which is almost never found in Afshar rugs.