The Oriental Collection - Catalog - Page 46
REZAS NOMADIC RUGS
Afshar
The Afshar are one of the most important nomadic tribes in Iran. They have woven
rugs for centuries and have now settled into the mountainous areas surrounding
Iranian Azerbaijan. An additional population of Afshar tribes-people is located in the
Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran and in the city of Kerman.
The most famous member of the tribe was Nadir Shah, an 18th century king who
fought an Afghan rebellion to defeat Delhi and return the Peacock Throne and other
treasures to Iran. In recent times, the Afshar have kept a lower profile and are mainly
famous for their rugs.
Afshar rugs are classified according to the names of the cities where they are sold.
The most important of these are Shahr-e-Babak and Sirjan, which are situated west/
south west of Kerman, in south-eastern Iran. Sirjan was a very important city in the
10th century, and some of its ruins still stand today.
Afshar rugs are commonly found in shades of rusty reds and blue, and have knot
densities that range between 150,000 and 250,000 per sqm. Designs vary from
rug to rug and can feature traditional medallions or repeating patterns depending
on the knotter and their personality. The geometric elements fit in well with modern
furnishing styles and designs. Persian rugs from Afshar are rather large and can also
be found under the name Sirdjan.
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