First half 19th century, 481 x 241 cm, South West Persia, Fars

This large Qashqa’i in the kelleh format was produced in a workshop owned by the Kashkuli tribe, probably as a commission by a khan. Very finely and meticulously woven using silk wefts and finely spun, glossy pile wool, it is of the finest quality. A dense Herati repeat covers the midnight blue field. The red-brown main border is decorated with a Herati vine of palmettes, rosettes and sickle leaves. East Persian carpets from Khorasan served as models for the Kashkuli weavers. In addition to the knotting structure and palette, several design details reveal the Qashqa’i origin, in this case the style of the vines in the golden yellow minor borders and the four botehs placed in the corners. – The edges are backed with canvas on the reverse. Slight signs of age, low spots in the pile, good overall condition.