Semi-antique Qashqai kilim from Iran. 272x162 cms

A Superb Semi-Antique Qashqai Kilim

This exceptional semi-antique Qashqai kilim is woven with exquisitely fine hand-spun wool, a testament to the skill of its maker—a master Qashqai weaver.

The design features a perfectly regular, symmetrical grid, with colours arranged in a striking diagonal sequence. Each square is adorned with woven lozenges, traditionally believed to protect against the evil eye. In a charming twist, the upper squares have been left empty, adding a touch of playful asymmetry. Mysterious, randomly placed horizontal lines appear throughout the piece—an artistic signature from the weaver’s hand.

The kilim is in mint condition, including its original fringes, remarkably preserved to this day. The wool is of the highest quality: soft, lustrous, and beautifully spun.

Both the craftsmanship and the design speak to the importance of this textile—it was clearly a treasured possession for both its creator and its original owner. Its pristine state suggests it has been carefully kept and rarely, if ever, used since it was woven.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 272×162 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1950s

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 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.