53886 Vintage Kurdish Pictorial Rug Runner, 03'06 x 11'00.
The Lovers of Legend: A Vintage Kurdish Pictorial Masterpiece of Khosrow and Shirin
Steeped in romance and regal grandeur, this hand-knotted wool vintage Kurdish pictorial rug transcends textile art to become a woven epic—a visual retelling of the tragic love story of King Khosrow and Queen Shirin. Each knot carries the weight of centuries-old Persian lore, where passion, betrayal, and destiny intertwine. Here, artisans transformed poetry into tapestry, capturing the tender glances, royal splendor, and heart-wrenching fate of two lovers immortalized in the annals of Persian and Armenian legend. Every figure, flourish, and gesture within this precious scene reflects not only technical mastery but a deep reverence for storytelling through the loom—a skill passed down through generations of Kurdish weavers devoted to preserving their cultural heritage.
The exceptional composition is lush with narrative and ornamentation—figures finely detailed, garments richly adorned, and architectural motifs framing the story like an illuminated manuscript. The weaver’s palette, steeped in natural dyes, imbues the scene with a sense of movement and emotional depth. Subtle shifts of tone and shade create the illusion of light cascading across royal robes and pastoral landscapes, evoking a sense of theater and divinity. As a result, this exquisite work of art reads less like a mere textile and more like a living tableau—a poetic canvas embodying the very essence of Persian romanticism.
Beyond its artistic beauty lies a cultural artifact of profound historical significance. Rugs of this nature were not simply made for the floor, but for contemplation—objects of prestige intended for the salons of poets, scholars, and nobility. They served as visual testaments to love’s triumph and tragedy, bridging oral tradition with visual art. To possess such a piece is to hold a rare convergence of myth, art, and human emotion—a treasure that captures the transcendence of storytelling itself.
For the collector who seeks rarity and refinement, this vintage Kurdish pictorial rug offers more than decoration—it offers legacy. Whether displayed as a wall-hung artwork or the centerpiece of a cultivated interior, it emanates a rare harmony of beauty, intellect, and history. It is an extraordinary textile that invites reverence, a masterpiece that whispers of devotion, art, and the timeless power of love’s enduring tale.
- Tragic Love Story of King Khosrow and Queen Shirin.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Turkey.
- Measures: 03'06 x 11'00.
- Date: 1980s. Late 20th Century.
