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This beautiful kilim was woven by Afshar weavers of southeast Persia in the early 20th century. The Afshars are a people of Oghuz Turkic origin, with a long history in the Kerman region. They belong to a wider tribal community whose branches became dispersed across Persia over the centuries, carrying their traditions with them.
What makes this piece so fascinating is its colour combination and the simplicity of its pattern. Six large stepped diamonds are arranged across a deep, richly coloured field, with coral red, ivory and blue giving each shape a strong presence. Woven from memory, the design reflects both an inherited pattern and the individual taste of the weaver.
The diamond forms are read here as stylised eyes, symbols expressing a wish for protection against the evil eye. The repeated shapes have a beautiful clarity, yet the small variations in colour and drawing give the piece its own personality. It looks remarkably modern and could decorate an interior superbly well.
At 316 by 219 cm, it is a generous and less commonly encountered size for a tribal kilim of this kind. Producing a textile on this scale demanded time and space, particularly when weaving had to fit around seasonal movement. Its size, bold pattern and fascinating colours give it the presence to become the centre of a room.
Size: 316 × 219 cm
Origin: Afshar, southeast Persia
Period: Early 20th century
This beautiful kilim was woven by Afshar weavers of southeast Persia in the early 20th century. The Afshars are a people of Oghuz Turkic origin, with a long history in the Kerman region. They belong to a wider tribal community whose branches became dispersed across Persia over the centuries, carrying their traditions with them.
What makes this piece so fascinating is its colour combination and the simplicity of its pattern. Six large stepped diamonds are arranged across a deep, richly coloured field, with coral red, ivory and blue giving each shape a strong presence. Woven from memory, the design reflects both an inherited pattern and the individual taste of the weaver.
The diamond forms are read here as stylised eyes, symbols expressing a wish for protection against the evil eye. The repeated shapes have a beautiful clarity, yet the small variations in colour and drawing give the piece its own personality. It looks remarkably modern and could decorate an interior superbly well.
At 316 by 219 cm, it is a generous and less commonly encountered size for a tribal kilim of this kind. Producing a textile on this scale demanded time and space, particularly when weaving had to fit around seasonal movement. Its size, bold pattern and fascinating colours give it the presence to become the centre of a room.
Size: 316 × 219 cm
Origin: Afshar, southeast Persia
Period: Early 20th century
