Antique Qashqai kilim from Iran. 288x158

Antique Qashqai Kilim with Striped and Chevron Motifs

This antique kilim from the Qashqai tribes of Iran is a beautiful example of intuitive weaving and artistic expression. Woven with a blend of dyed and undyed wool, its primary design features flowing horizontal stripes — but rather than rigid, parallel lines, the weaver introduced soft curves and undulating bands, creating a sense of rhythm, spontaneity, and movement.

To break the symmetry, a pair of chevron-like motifs were thoughtfully added. These areas are also where the weaver chose to introduce brighter, more saturated colors, offering a striking contrast to the otherwise earthy, neutral tones of the stripes.

One end of the kilim still retains its original hand-plaited fringe. There is one visible repair (please refer to the photos).

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 288×158 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1920-40s

Turkic-speaking pastoral nomadic tribal groups began entering central and southern Iran during the eleventh and twelfth centuries.The Qashqai, as a large tribal unit, dates back at least to the early eighteenth century, when some Turkish(Turki)-speaking tribal groups in the region existed under the name Qashqai.

Qashqai kilims are best known for their boldness and and freedom in the way the pattern is drawn. An aesthetically pleasing geometry, the fineness of their wool and their clear, strong colours combine to ensure their reputation as superlative examples.