Afshar / Persian Rug. Circa 1900. 177 X 134 Cm

Afshar Rug. Persia. Circa 1900.

A Prestigious Origin

This rug belongs to the Afshar tradition, one of the great tribal traditions of southeastern Persia. Based primarily in the province of Kerman, particularly around Sirjan, the Afshars have developed a carpet-making tradition renowned for the strength of its compositions and the richness of its decorative vocabulary. While Afshar rugs are already highly prized, those featuring the boteh motif are particularly sought after; this example is a fine illustration of that.

A field punctuated by the boteh

Against the light background, large, elongated motifs repeat in staggered rows. Their silhouette evokes the boteh, a stylized plant motif often recognizable by its teardrop or curved flame shape. Here, each shape is enriched with small geometric details, while angular stems, small flowers, and rosettes fill the spaces between them. This alternation gives the field a beautiful energy, balanced by the regularity of the composition. The boteh is an ancient motif in Persian textile arts, sometimes nicknamed “the fruit of paradise.”

A palette of subtle shades

The hand-spun wool, exceptionally soft, gives this rug a particularly delicate presence. This softness extends to its color palette, where deep reds and terracotta hues interact with indigo, browns, ochres, and ivory. The hues complement each other with finesse, while the floral borders extend the movement of the field and frame the design.

Afshar / Persian Rug
Handwoven and hand-knotted
Wool on wool
Plant-based dye
Circa 1900
DIM: 177 × 134 cm
In perfect condition

Choosing an antique rug or textile is often a serendipitous encounter.
If one of our pieces catches your eye, or if you’d like more information or photos, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.

Laurent Consul
Beauty of Kilims
06 42 61 73 46