Afshar, 70 Years Old, 195*140 cm

This is a hand-knotted vintage Afshar rug, originating from the Afshar tribal region in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran. It is approximately 70 years old, dating to the mid-1950s, and measures 195 by 140 centimeters, which is roughly 6 feet 5 inches by 4 feet 7 inches. This size makes it a medium-sized area rug, ideal for a living room, a bedroom, a study, or as a decorative wall hanging. The rug is constructed entirely of hand-spun wool using natural dyes, and its age is evident in the soft, mellow patina and the distinctive abrash (color variation) across the field. The image shows a close-up view of the rug’s upper corner, revealing a stunning Gol Farang (Foreign Flower) or Rose pattern, which is one of the most beloved and collectible styles in Afshar weaving.

The design layout of this Afshar rug is a classic “all-over floral” pattern, specifically featuring the famous Gol Farang (Foreign Flower) or Rose design. Unlike the geometric, compartmentalized patterns of many tribal rugs, this rug features large, stylized floral sprays that appear to grow organically across the field. The field is dominated by oversized, sprawling roses that are arranged in a staggered, vertical layout, with smaller secondary flowers and leaves filling the spaces between them. The corner of the rug visible in the image shows the main floral spray curving gracefully inward, demonstrating the weaver’s skill in creating a sense of movement and flow. The rug is framed by a complex border system consisting of a wide main border and multiple narrow guard borders. The main border features a repeating geometric floral pattern in ivory and blue, while the guard borders contain small, repeating chevron and diamond motifs.

The dominant motif in this Afshar rug is the stylized rose (Gol Farang). The roses are large, bold, and unmistakably European in influence, with broad, overlapping petals and dark, contrasting outlines that give them a three-dimensional, “painterly” appearance. The central rose in the image is a cream-colored rose with deep crimson and pink inner petals, surrounded by dark blue leaves. Beside it, a deep red rose is woven in a slightly more angular, tribal style. The leaves are serrated and jagged, with latch-hook edges, adding a protective, tribal element to the floral design. Scattered throughout the field are smaller, secondary motifs, including clusters of yellow grapes or artichokes, small blue flowers, and stylized stems. The main border features a repeating “flower and vine” pattern, with small, geometric rosettes and stylized leaves connected by meandering vines. The guard borders contain small, repeating chevron and diamond motifs, which act as a protective frame around the main design.

The color palette of this vintage Afshar rug is rich, warm, and highly saturated, reflecting the vibrant dyeing traditions of the Afshar tribe. The primary field color is a deep, warm madder red or rust red, which provides a vibrant, welcoming background for the large floral motifs. The oversized roses are woven in cream or ivory, deep crimson, salmon pink, and soft mauve, with detailed outlines in dark navy blue and black. The leaves and stems are a rich forest green and dark blue, with accents of mustard yellow and dusty teal. The main border features an ivory or cream ground with repeating geometric floral motifs in blue, red, yellow, and green, creating a crisp, contrasting frame around the dark red field. There is a noticeable abrash across the red field—horizontal bands of lighter and darker red—which is a highly desirable feature that confirms the use of hand-spun wool and natural, organic dyes.