Afshar rug

Exuding elegance, this finest of Afshar rugs is woven with symmetrical knots and a delicateness that approaches petit point. Afshar pile weaving was greatly inspired by the textile traditions of Persia, particularly that of Kerman. The Afshars of south Persia were centered around Kerman, which was an important weaving center on the Indian trade route. While Persian models largely shaped artistic styles and design in Mughal India throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, during the 19th century Kerman and southeastern Persia absorbed tastes emanating from their eastern neighbor. In fact, the insect-derived red dye used in the field of this remarkable piece is most likely Indian lac. Lac was utilized in the workshop carpets of Kerman, as well as for the shawls woven in the region. This piece displays superb color. Blossoming ‘boteh’ paisleys are sketched with hues of pistachio green, golds, sky blue, and white highlighting. The openness of these devices recalls similar drawing from both Kerman and Kashmiri shawls. Thin, delicate borders frame the piece, drawing classic flowering vine-scroll tracery on either side of a gold central border. There are also alternating eight-pointed stars within octagons and clusters of four ‘boteh’. This piece is a visual and tactile delight and a masterpiece of Afshar weaving.