This rug features a rich, saturated crimson red field that serves as a bold canvas. Walking across the center of the rug is a large, golden-tan and khaki feline (resembling a leopard or a cheetah). The rug is framed by a striking, high-contrast border featuring golden-yellow and black jagged chevrons or stepped triangles, giving it a radiant, “sunburst” frame.
Pattern & Motifs: The central feline is depicted in profile, in a majestic walking or hunting stance. It has a beautifully detailed, curled tail, a pointed ear, and is covered entirely in small, white circular spots. The artist went a step further by adding tiny red and pink dots inside the white spots, giving the leopard a jewel-like, intricate appearance. The head is detailed with a sharp, expressive eye and a subtle, stylized mouth line.
This rug is a celebration of speed, grace, and the wild beauty of the Persian mountains. The leopard is a symbol of stealth and strength. The white, jewel-like spots give the animal a magical, almost celestial quality. The golden, stepped border acts as a protective sunburst, isolating the animal in its own sacred space. This is a beautifully executed piece of pictorial folk art.
- Provenance: Hand-woven tribal pictorial (Qashqai , southwestern Iran).
- Material: 100% hand-spun wool, natural and organic dyes.
- Age: Mid-to-late 20th century (approximately 40–60 years old).
- Style: Rare “Figurative Pictorial,” “Totem,” and “Surrealist Naive Folk Art.”
- Condition: Excellent vintage condition; smooth flatweave/plush low-pile; intact fringes and edges.
- Color Palette: Wide variety including rich crimsons, golden yellows, natural cream, deep maroons, chocolate browns, and vibrant accent hues.
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