Persian Afshar - 2.30 x 1.00

The Afhar are tent-dwellers. Their primary occupation is sheep husbandry and handicraft such as many ornamental weavings: saddlebags, salt bags and flat-weaves known in the West as kilims. They are however best known for their superb carpets in an array of eclectic designs. Afshar means “obedient”. Since the Safavid period, the tribal group Afshar migrated from their origins in Central Asia to settle in Iranian Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan republic, and Eastern Turkey. This background has led to the inclusion of regional influences on Afshar weaving, resulting in a distinctive aesthetic that incorporates elements of several village and nomadic Persian rug styles, as well as Southern Persian design influences. The Afshar carpets usually have red and blue colour tones and mostly geometrical patterns. The most common pattern contains a large center piece with one or more squared medallions, some say that this symbolizes a hide stretched for preparation. Caucasian rug influences are also strongly felt resulting in displays of bold geometric designs in primary colours. Perhaps not the largest but certainly better known and more prolific concentration of the Afshar clans is in the Kerman province, Baft being their central marketplace. Their best-known carpets in fact are made by and tribeswomen in southern Iran’s Kerman and Hormozgan provinces. Afshar carpets are valued world-wide as quality tribal rugs and are highly sought after.