259 cm x 131 cm
This is an antique rug attributed to the Lurs tribe. According to the expert and author James Opie: “The
Lurs are one of the few surviving tribal groups who lived in the same lands since the earliest periods of
Persian history. They are a truly native tribe.”
This s a collector´s and also a beautiful decorative piece, woven in last quarter of the 19 th century, with
varied and saturated dyes that became milder by age. Five medallions decorated with a reciprocal guard
of ‘bird heads’ in ivory and midnight blue, are placed on a field transformed on both sides to
polychromatic half diamonds, filled with floating little diamonds. The colors of this “field”: saffron
yellow, brown, blue, madder red and green, are randomly disposed according to the weaver wishes or
may be due to the availability of dyed wool, any the case, these variations add interest and contrast to
the composition. The border system is very elaborate at the same time, plenty of tribal flavor. It is
composed by nine guards: at both extremes, reciprocal triangles (red-green and brown-blue), small
guards with squares (the ivory one providing contrasted framing), two main guards with multicolored
rosettes (the outer one, stands out in midnight blue), finally 3 guards with diagonal lines (the main one
named “barber pole” guard). On just one medallion, we find four highly stylized animals, probably a
reference to the tribe totem.
Wool pile knotted on wool foundation, some of it is visible on the lower
section, both ends secured, medium to low pile all around. Original and complete, including the
supplementary embroidered guards on both ends.
Literature: a related example was published on the book “Tribal Rugs” by James Opie. USA, 1992. Page
128. Plate 7.28. Luri, Fars Province. Mid-nineteenth century or earlier.
Provenance: Trybiarz Collection – Buenos Aires
Rug Nº: 207
Price: EURO 1450 + shipping