The Afshar are a Turkic-speaking tribal group with a long history in Iran. Originally migratory, the Afshar settled in several regions across Iran over the centuries, with the most rug-significant population concentrated in southeastern Iran near Kerman.
Characteristics of Afshar rugs:
- Distinctive squarish format Afshar rugs are often nearly square or only slightly elongated, a proportion uncommon in Persian weaving
- Smaller average size most Afshars are 4x5 ft to 6x9 ft; larger Afshars are uncommon
- Geometric and stylized floral designs Afshar weavers blend nomadic-tradition geometric motifs with influence from the nearby Kerman city tradition
- Medallion designs often featuring a single bold central medallion or chicken-and-pomegranate motifs
- All-wool construction with high-quality local wool
- Asymmetric knot, typically 80–200 KPSI
- Color palette deep madder red, navy, ivory, and occasional saffron yellows and greens
Common Afshar design motifs include:
- Chicken pattern (mahi, "fish" not to be confused with the Herati mahi pattern repeating stylized chicken or bird forms
- Pomegranate (anar) motif pomegranates with leaves and vines
- Geometric medallions with stepped or hooked outlines
- Pictorial elements birds, animals, occasionally human figures
Afshars are also notable for producing a variety of flatwoven items soumaks, kilims, and a distinctive type of weft-substitution flatweave sometimes called Rah Rah kilim in the trade.
In the rug market, Afshar rugs are appreciated for their tribal character at smaller scale they fit well into apartment-sized rooms and contemporary interiors where larger formal Persian rugs would be impractical. The Afshar weaving tradition shares overlap with the neighboring Qashqai confederation, particularly in geometric motifs and color use.
Where to find Afshar rugs
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