Vintage Qashqai kilim from Iran. 242x148 cms

Vintage Persian Qashqai Kilim with Bold Medallions

This vintage Persian Qashqai kilim captivates with its deep red field, a powerful backdrop for three large, neatly woven central medallions. Surrounding them are smaller geometric motifs that add rhythm and balance to the composition.

Unlike more improvisational kilims, this piece displays a carefully planned and tightly executed design, showcasing the weaver’s precision. Yet, there’s a delightful human touch: in the lower left corner, the weaver slightly miscalculated the space within the border. Instead of leaving it empty, she added a charming, unique little motif — a creative, spontaneous solution not repeated anywhere else in the kilim.

The red field features subtle abrash (natural tonal variations in the dye), adding movement and depth to the surface.

This is a finely woven, well-balanced kilim — a beautiful combination of discipline and individuality.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 242×148 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 1980s

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.