227 cm x 131 cm
This is an antique Afshar rug, woven in early 20 th century. A collector´s and a nice decorative rug with a
sober palette. It shows the three medallions classical design, each of them featuring in the center a
rosette with the ´Sun Chariot´ design, an ancient symbol of eternal life related to the swastika and it´s
meaning to Buddhism. The medallions show a reciprocal border of “animal heads” on ivory color against
the deep midnight blue of the field. The system guard has two main ones: an inner guard in terracotta
red color, with multicolored stepped borders, compactly filled with birds, and an outer one in midnight
blue, alternating, rosettes with eight pointed stars and other designs, with animals with the expected
normal four feet on the short borders, but with five feet on the long ones. This guards with birds and
animals are a very distinctive feature of Neiriz rugs. The field is filled with tribal motifs: rosettes,
amulets, birds, and two fantastic animals outlined in blue color, placed between both upper medallions.
Their tails bear as finishing a checkered motif called ´gol shatrandji´ and they have six feet: It is possible
that this fantastic feature has derivate in origin from images on the reliefs of the magnificent ruins of the
Apadana of Persepolis, which nomad tribes passed by on their annual migrations.
Good pile, with small spots of low pile. Old repair, both ends secured. Good overall condition, complete.
Literature: related examples were published on the book:
Masterpieces of Fars Rugs. Author: Cyrus Parham. Teheran 1996. Pages: 172, 173, 176, 177, 182 and
183.
Provenance: Trybiarz Collection – Buenos Aires
Rug Nº: 198
Price: Euro 750 + shipping