Antique Qashqa'i Tribal Rug, Fars Province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM1995

This is a truly tribal Qashqa'i rug, made on the move as the tribe migrates from winter to summer pastures, sometime in the third quarter of the nineteenth century. There is a wonderful movement of colour and design, full of stylised creatures of all kinds in stunning, saturated vegetable colour. Spectacular hanging on a wall or in a quiet location in the house, the pile is evenly-low overall and both minor end borders have been re-woven expertly, as desrves such a magnificent early rug.
Size: 1.90m x 1.17m (6' 3" x 3' 10").
£3,800

Antique Jajim 'Moj', Qashqa'i Nomads, Fars Province, ...

Item Ref
BM/PC

For a full-size photo of this magnificent Moj, see my third edition 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' page 186.
Woven by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars Province, south-west Persia during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, 'moj' or jajims are distinctive flat-woven covers that were used as blankets and covers for the storage-bags around the circumference of the tent. They were woven in a technique referred to as balanced twill-weave, made in two equal parts and then expertly sewn together. The most exciting feature of this moj is the interplay of colours within the weave which gives this flat-weave its name 'moj' - in Persian, 'wave'.
Moj of this age are now quite rare and this one is a nice small square example, easily used in a decorative place in the modern home.
Size: 1.83m x 1.70m (6' 0" x 5' 7").
£1,750

Antique Qashqa'i Rug, Buly Chaqal Sub-Tribe, Fars ...

Item Ref
BM1985

The madder-red field comprises the 'herati' pattern, i.e. two fish swimming around water-lilies - symbolising happiness. Made by the Buly Chaqal Qashqa'i taifeh in Fars Province, south-west Persia circa 1900, this elegantly, beautiful tribal rug is in excellent condition.
Size: 2.53m x 1.73m (8' 4" x 5' 8").
£1,450

Antique Qashqa'i Rug, Shesh Boluki Sub-Tribe, Fars ...

Item Ref
BM1876

I love natural indigo-blue ground rugs, particularly where the wool used is exceptional and the blue glows like oil floating on water. This rug has to be seen to fully appreciate the gorgeous shades of blue, covered by a myriad of stylised flowers or shrubs. The main border has a powerful rendition of stylised trees on a natural un-dyed ivory background framing the field.
This rug, which I suspect was made by the Shesh-Boluki sub-tribe within the Qashqa'i confederacy, was made circa 1900 and is in very good overall condition with no repairs.
Size: 2.06m x 1.22m (6' 9" x 4' 0").
£1,450

Antique Qashqa'i Rug, Shesh Boluki Sub-Tribe, Fars ...

Item Ref
BM1876

I love natural indigo-blue ground rugs, particularly where the wool used is exceptional and the blue glows like oil floating on water. This rug has to be seen to fully appreciate the gorgeous shades of blue, covered by a myriad of stylised flowers or shrubs.
I also love the main border - a powerful rendition of stylised trees on a natural un-dyed ivory background framing the field.
This rug, which I suspect was made by the Shesh-Boluki sub-tribe within the Qashqa'i confederacy, was made circa 1900 and is in very good overall condition with no repairs.
Size: 2.06m x 1.22m (6' 9" x 4' 0").
£1,250

Antique Bread Sofreh, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, ...

Item Ref
BM1884

Bread sofrehs were used for kneading and rolling the dough to make 'lavash' - the delicious Persian flat-bread. Such utilitarian items were never intended for the commercial markets and few survive the ravages of time, today.
This charming little square sofreh, smaller than normal, might have been made by a young Qashqa'i girl for her use only or it might even have been a dowry weaving. The field depicting small tiles or diamond shapes and the golden-yellow border, is woven in weft-float patterning with the outer and inner borders and the symbolic cross and three 'flowers' having tufts of knotted pile on an indigo-blue plain-weave structure.
This sofreh, made during the early 20th century, is complete and in excellent condition.
Size: 76cm x 80cm (2' 6" x 2' 8").
£975

Antique Sofreh, Qashqa'i Nomads, Fars Province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM1950

Charming and archaic! The ivory border packed with stylised quadrupeds - possibly males, females and young surrounds a tile-pattern field. Made during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, possibly by a young girl learning her trade, this small bread sofreh would make a stunning wall-hanging displaying true tribal woven art.
Size: 82cm x 72cm (2' 8" x 2' 4").
£850

Antique Qashqa'i Tribal Rug, Fars Province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM/JS1

This rug had been hanging on the wall of a collector's English home for 40 years! It's an amazing rug. The animal and bird imagery is quite unique and I can say that it is one of the most interesting Qashqa'i rugs I've ever seen. Spend some time looking at the close-up images and you will see the phenomenal number of stylised creatures that abound throughout. I can see why the collector had it on his wall where he was able to just sit and look at it. The overall condition of the pile is very good. There are a few areas with minor wear and some old repairs but nothing major. The colours are all natural and I would guess the age of the rug to be circa 1860-1870. I can't speak highly enough of this rug - it's magnificent.
For the collector of Qashqa'i rugs, this is one not to be missed!
Size: 2.24m x 1.25m (7' 4" x 4' 1").
SOLD

Antique Qashqa'i- Shekarlu Rug, Fars province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM790

This rug is truly fantastic. Not only is it amazing, it is in wonderful condition with complete brocaded skirts and braided warp-ends. The rugs of the Shekarlu sub-tribe are relatively rare and this one is no exception with its brick-red field (blue fields are more common) and more unusual borders than most. Made by the Qashqa'i-Shekarlu tribe around 1850 in Fars Province, south-west Persia.
Size: 2.36m x 1.83m (7' 9" x 6' 0").
SOLD

Antique Gabbeh, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM1040

Simply magnificent! Superb vegetable colours creating a wonderful colour palette. Made during the second half of the 19th century by Qashqa'i tribes in Fars Province, south-west Persia, gabbehs were made then for everyday use in the tents and for wrapping-up children during the long cold winter nights. Today, gabbehs are rare - most were used and discarded when worn out. Those that remain have become highly collectable. The overall condition of this gabbeh is good - evenly low pile but very acceptable.
Size: 2.34m x 1.40m (7' 8" x 4' 7").
SOLD

Antique Qashqa'i Rug, Fars Province, South-West Persia ...

Item Ref
BM901

This magnificent rug was made by the Qashqa'i tribes, around 1870/1880. The overall condition of the rug is excellent. The natural colours are wonderful and I love the two stylized figures in the centre!
Size: 1.80m x 1.10m (6' 0" x 3' 10").
SOLD

Antique Kilim, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM1983

Just magnificent!
A truly beautiful 19th century kilim with a fabulous array of vegetable colours, made by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars Province, south-west Persia. I love the simplicity of the pattern and the vegetable dyes that all gel together such as the beautiful golden yellow, the sky-blue, pink-red and deep green. The bold 'laleh abassi' border in white wool, frames the central field. This magnificent kilim is in excellent condition with no repairs whatsoever. This kilim is one of the very best of type.
Size: 2.62m x 1.56m (8' 7" x 5' 2").
SOLD