Qashqai Antique Rug, depicting camels.
225 x 140 cm (7' 5" x 4' 7")
Persia, ca. 1900
Warp: wool, weft: wool, pile: wool
 
This antique Qashqai rug, measuring approximately 225 × 140 cm, is a wonderful and characterful example of tribal weaving from southern Persia, woven around 125–130 years ago.
Handwoven in lustrous, hand-spun wool, it remains in excellent condition, with an even pile and a notably soft handle.
A striking saturated indigo field—almost cobalt in tone—is framed by warm reds and soft ivory accents, creating a composition that is both vivid and harmonious. At its heart lies a stylised Tree of Life, its geometric branches filled with intricate checkerboard elements and small floral forms.
Throughout the field and spandrels, the weaver has playfully depicted camels and a variety of other animals, alongside stars, dragon “S” motifs, flowers, and wheel-of-life symbols. These elements are rendered with a charming spontaneity, reflecting the expressive and narrative quality of Qashqai tribal weaving.
At the centre, the rug reveals a particularly unusual and engaging feature: a depiction of another rug woven within the main field. This inner “carpet” includes four camels—two with their heads turned back—adding a sense of movement and storytelling. Within this secondary composition, one can even discern a further, third layer: a smaller rug rendered with a diagonally woven, repeating all-over pattern.
Multiple finely detailed borders frame the composition, providing structure while enhancing the rhythmic flow of the design. Subtle variations in colour and drawing lend depth and individuality, hallmarks of an authentic handwoven textile.
A rug of strong decorative presence and quiet narrative richness, combining bold design with a deep sense of tradition. The piece retains an attractive, even patina consistent with its age.