The Turkic-speaking Afshar nomads, largely settled in Southern Persia, boast a long tradition of rug-weaving, and antique Afshar pieces are well known for their expressive designs and high knot-density, often woven with the luxurious wool harvested from the herds of the tribesmen themselves, renowned not only for being exceptionally soft, but also for how well it takes to the dyes used, lending the Afshar weavings a wonderfully vivid palette.

This charming 19th Century example, incorporating elements derived from earlier 19th Century nomadic Qashqai rugs, featuring a series of delicate floral motifs, repeated in a variety of soft colours in alternating bands across the field, all rendered in high-grade, natural vegetable-dyed wools. This highly creative design employs a varied colour palette, including shades of terractorra, ivory, saffron and sage green, framed with a series wonderfully artistic individual borders, with a grand-scale design in shades of cornflower blue.

This early Afshar long rug is in very good condition for everyday use, with good pile throughout, and its outer borders retained on all sides – remarkable for a piece of this age; its organic dyes have taken on a mellow patina over the years.

One of the most unusual Afshar rugs we have had the pleasure of adding to our collection – a timeless example that would make a great addition to any space.