Afshar, 140 Years old, 180*140 cm

This is a hand-knotted antique Afshar rug, originating from the Afshar tribal region in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran. The Afshar tribe is renowned for weaving some of the most durable, graphically bold, and richly colored tribal rugs in the Persian canon. This remarkable piece is approximately 140 years old, dating to the late 19th century (circa 1880s)—a true antique that sits at the pinnacle of tribal weaving. Measuring 180 by 140 centimeters (roughly 5 feet 11 inches by 4 feet 7 inches), it is a versatile medium-to-large area rug, ideal as a living room centerpiece, a bedroom accent, or a commanding wall tapestry. Constructed entirely from high-altitude, hand-spun sheep’s wool using exclusively natural, organic dyes, the rug possesses a deep, velvety pile and a rare, luminous patina that only a century and a half of natural aging can produce.

The color palette of this 140-year-old Afshar is dramatic, incredibly saturated, and defined by high contrast. The primary field is a deep, absorbing midnight indigo blue and navy, which serves as a dark, velvety night-sky canvas that makes the vibrant motifs glow. The focal motifs—the large, repeating floral forms—are woven in a vibrant, saturated magenta-pink and crimson red, reminiscent of wild roses blooming in the dark. The field is heavily outlined and accented with a warm bronze, golden ochre, and charcoal black, which give the motifs definition and depth. The wide main border contrasts beautifully, featuring a cream or ivory ground, which frames the dark interior with crisp elegance, while the guard borders utilize deep blue and brick red to reinforce the structure. A prominent, highly desirable abrash (horizontal color banding) is visible across the deep blue field, a hallmark of authentic, hand-prepared natural dyes.

Design: Navy blue field filled with repeating pink-red bud-like motifs (pomegranate flowers or stylized paisleys); wide cream-white border with blue, green, and orange arabesques. Medium density, hand-knotted wool with Turkish knots. Natural colors: dark blue (indigo), pink-red (madder), cream (raw wool), lapis, and light green (vegetal). Aged about 130 years, an authentic Qashqai antique.

Its design is geometric-natural: a navy blue field packed with pomegranate flowers (Qashqai tulips) in pink-red, symbolizing fertility and nomadism. Irregular repeat (afshan/scattered) without a central medallion, inspired by the Fars plains. Borders: a main wide cream ramle with curved arabesques in blue/green/orange (birds and branches), a narrow inner border with small flowers, and a side frame red-blue with tiles and paisleys. Called “Qashqai Khatun,” it’s woven by tribal women with bold lines and vibrant colors for durability. Part of nomadic culture, each motif tells a life story.

Afshar rugs: Famous tile pattern (“Afshar tile”): geometric squares with four-petaled flowers (tulips) inside, symbolizing nomad tents; smallest tribal rugs (1×1.5m). Rare colors: rust red (special madder), deep blue (Afshar indigo), creamy wool; dense weave (500k knots/m²).

Backside: Fully hand-knotted (hand knots and warp fringes), all wool, asymmetrical Iranian knot, medium density. Authenticity signs: subtle asymmetry, color abrash.