Vintage Qashqai kilim from Iran. 152×63 cms

This narrow vintage Qashqai kilim began its life as a tribal storage sack, which has since been opened out and repurposed into a floor kilim.
As you can see in this unique runner, one half features a more intricate design in the form of lozenges—originally the front of the sack—while the simpler, striped half would have been the back.

With its compact and narrow dimensions, this kilim is ideal for placing beside a bed, in a short hallway, or in any slim space around the home.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 152×63 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1970s

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.