Semi-antique Qashqai palas kilim from Iran. 210x110 cms

If you are looking for a fun Qashqai palas kilim, look no further. The weaver chose a simple background in undyed colours (ivory and brown), against which she created an explosion of colour and texture. She added floral motifs with long, elaborate pompoms emerging from them, along with scattered decorative bands arranged in an irregular pattern.

The original use of this palas kilim was most likely to cover and protect stacked kilims inside a tent, with the pompoms designed to hang down and be seen by the people living in and visiting the tent.

This palas kilim still has the original plaited fringes intact, like the day the kilim came out of the loom. 

This unusual palas kilim would also work well as a wall hanging.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 210×110  cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1960s

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.