This striking Antique Persian Qashqai rug is a superb example of the bold tribal artistry for which the nomadic weavers of south-west Iran are so admired. Woven by the Qashqai confederation, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, the rug reflects a deeply personal weaving tradition in which design, colour, and symbolism are guided by memory and cultural inheritance rather than formal workshop patterns. The elongated format and rhythmic composition suggest it was intended for use as a runner or for defining space within a tented or domestic interior.
The field is organised around a powerful vertical sequence of stepped medallions, each rendered in warm madder reds, soft rusts, and earthy ochres, set against a beautifully aged indigo-grey ground. These medallions are interspersed with small tribal motifs—stylised animals, protective symbols, and abstract devices—woven with an instinctive balance that is characteristic of authentic Qashqai work. The drawing is confident yet slightly irregular, lending the rug a vitality and humanity that only genuinely tribal pieces possess.
A series of intricate borders frames the central field, featuring serrated leaves, angular vine forms, and geometric guard stripes. The palette is rich but harmonious, achieved through the use of natural vegetable dyes that have mellowed gracefully over time. The wool, hand-spun and lustrous, gives the surface a tactile softness while retaining the resilience required for everyday use—one of the enduring strengths of Qashqai weaving.
This antique rug is not merely decorative; it is a document of nomadic life, carrying with it the visual language of migration, landscape, and identity. Equally at home in a traditional interior or as a grounding counterpoint in a contemporary setting, it offers depth, authenticity, and quiet authority. For collectors and designers alike, this Qashqai rug represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Persian tribal history with enduring aesthetic relevance.