5 x 14 - Red Antique Shiraz Rug - 61421

61421 Antique Persian Shiraz Rug Runner, 04'10 x 13'08.

The Totemic Axis: A Late 19th Century Persian Shiraz Masterpiece of Qashqai Power

This hand knotted wool antique Persian Shiraz rug runner, woven in the final decades of the 19th century, stands as a commanding artifact of Qashqai-influenced nomadic expression. Created not for trade but for lineage, this exquisite work of art carries the unmistakable authority of tribal Iran—where weaving was both cultural record and spiritual armor. Its elongated format, bold geometry, and confident asymmetry announce a work made with purpose, presence, and inherited knowledge.

At the heart of the exceptional composition rises a powerful vertical totemic column—an unmistakable interpretation of the axis mundi, or Tree of Life. This central form connects earth to ancestors and spirit, acting as a symbolic spine that anchors the entire rug. In Qashqai weaving traditions, such a structure speaks to continuity, protection, and bloodline—a declaration that life, memory, and belief are inseparable. The generous negative space surrounding it amplifies its authority, allowing the iconic symbol to breathe and dominate with quiet confidence.

Branching from this central axis are bold, hooked ram’s horn motifs—ancient emblems of strength, vitality, and guardianship. Their scale and clarity suggest a weaver asserting resilience in the face of an unpredictable world. Interspersed throughout the rich red field are diamond and lozenge amulets, intimate talismans woven to deflect misfortune and envy. Star-like rosettes and cross-forms add a celestial counterbalance, symbols of guidance and cosmic order rather than doctrine—markers of harmony in a nomadic life shaped by constant movement.

Completing this exclusive narrative are simplified animal forms—camels, goats, or deer—quiet symbols of prosperity, survival, and status, paired with angular leaf and sprout motifs that speak to renewal and seasonal cycles. Encircling it all, the sawtooth and meander borders form a symbolic protective barrier, guarding the interior world of the rug from external harm. This is not merely a decorative runner; it is a rare cultural document—an object of prestige for the collector who understands that true luxury lies in meaning, mastery, and enduring power.

• Abrash.
• Hand knotted wool.
• Made in Iran.
• Measures: 04'10 x 13'08.
• Pile Height: 0.30 of an inch.
• Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.