Created in the late 19th century, this is a mysterious rug, probably Kurdish, from the Quchan or Khorasan district of North-East Persia. Certain aspects of this rug, including the plainweave ends with decoration in extra weft wrapping, suggest that this may be the work of an Afshar group in Khorasan. The structure and Turkmen motifs might also indicate a west Persian / east Anatolian origin. The rug also features beautiful guls, surrounded by a major Akstafa border.
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.