Second half 19th century, 215 x 114 cm, North East Persia, Khorasan

The deep blue field contains a dense repeat of alternately red blossoms and brown-red octagons arranged in parallel rows, with small, brilliant white flowers inserted between them as highlights. The tomato-red main border shows star-shaped blossoms with four diagonal arms ending in buds – a design often seen in South Caucasian rugs. Known as "do gül" in Persia, the field design appears to be a highly stylised version of the East Persian mina khani design. The rug published by MacDonald, with a silky-soft lustrous pile and elaborate kilim finishes, is a weaving by the Salar Khani tribe. – Corroded brown, some moth damage, good overall condition.

WEGNER, DIETRICH, Der Knüpfteppich bei den Belutschen und ihren Nachbarn. TRIBUS 29 (publications by the Linden-Museum). Stuttgart 1980, p. 91, ill. 24 *** BLACK, DAVID & LOVELESS, CLIVE, Rugs of the Wandering Baluchi. London 1976, no. 33 *** WEARDEN, JEN

MacDONALD, BRIAN W., Tribal Rugs. Treasures of the Black Tent. Woodbridge 1997, pl. 153