Qashgai circa 1870-80

Qashgai, UNUSUALLY FINE ANTIQUE TRIBAL PIECE circa 1870 - 1880   

3 x 5 ft 

Acquired from a French dealer

The Qashgai Federation of tribes, along with the Afshar, Lori and Khamseh, have a timeless tradition of rug weaving. As nomads their work is alive with plant and animal symbols and total use of natural dyes. Sadly their nomadic ways and weaving traditions have been severely diminished by the modern world. Such pieces are a treasure from a bygone era.

This is a subtle and quietly distinguished example which requires a few moments of careful examination. The colors are deliberately subdued by the female artist/ weaver who speaks to us through symbols. Note the 4 borders and their intricate design- and at top and bottom, two additional intricate outer border strips- a sign of a dedicated weaver with a sense of composition and completeness.  

There is a fine artistic interplay between the reds, beiges and pale peach colors used, accented by royal and very pale blues and greens.

Above all, as an indication of quality and investment value in this 140-year-old tribal artefact, is the spontaneity of the drawing in the main reserve. Note the whimsical use of different images on either side, individual arrangements of design elements – they flow, tumble, drift, are delightfully random – this is a virtue in older tribal carpets, as later pieces exhibit, often, an undesirable stiffness and order which eliminate them as serious investment collectibles.

It is possible this piece was made initially for local trade, almost certainly not for overseas consumption at this early date (which was not always the case for town and city rugs in this era). Though it is equally possible, to judge by its fine execution, that it was made for home use or a gift among relatives, or within the tribe, given its size.



This piece is in excellent condition, tightly woven, and suitable for a medium wear environment, though preferably light wear, such as a TV room or den, or on a wall as it is indisputably of investment grade. 

$6,300 

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