A very rare rug woven by the Shekarlu tribe from southwest Persia, this piece dates back to the late 19th century. Many dream icons commonly seen in tribal rugs have found a place on this dramatic tribal weaving. The deep indigo field of the carpet is filled with animals, flowers, birds and other zoomorphic and floral depictions from the weaver’s nomadic life. The most unusual feature in this rug is an extremely rare, large red blob-like shape, most likely representing a tree in full bloom, interspersed with floral and bird elements.
Tribal carpets are typically made by nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes from various parts of the world. Their designs are different from modern, commercial carpets, in that they are mostly raw, abstract and somewhat naïve. Typically, women weave the carpets without a set design in mind during the weaving process, which results in the variations in the patterns, and the irregular shapes of the carpets. These “perfect imperfections” are the delicate nuances, that add to the beauty of each one-of-a-kind handwoven carpet. Every tribal carpet has a unique story that comes from weaver’s thoughts and expressions. Elements like flowers, plants, human beings, birds, and animals such as dogs, sheep and camels often feature, giving a base to the storyline.