Vintage Qashqai sofreh kilim from Iran. 153x94 cms

Vintage Qashqai Sofreh Kilim – Minimalist Design with Naïve Charm

This delightful vintage Qashqai sofreh—a traditional flatweave used for bread-making—features a clean, minimalist design that radiates charm. The central field is woven with undyed, natural white wool, creating a soft and organic base.

Simple, naïve lozenge motifs decorate the borders, while bold chevron patterns appear at two ends, adding a playful touch to the overall composition. The combination of earthy textures and cheerful colors makes this piece especially versatile.

Perfect for a child’s room, play area, or any relaxed, informal space, this kilim brings warmth, character, and a sense of cultural craftsmanship to your home.

This kilim has one small stain. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 153×94 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1990s

Sofrehs take their name from the Farsi (Persian) word for cloth and are used for several functions connected with preparing and eating food. Eating cloths are normally referred to simply as sofrehs and vary enormously in size-from small, rectangular mats for personal use to extremelly long, narrow runners for communal eating. They are woven in several standard techniques, including alternating bands of kilim and pile rug, and produced by a number of nomadic and tribal weavers in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and to a lesser degree, elsewhere.

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.