Description:-
21919 Antique Persian Shiraz Rug, 07'11 x 10'06.
The Nomad's Legacy: Late 19th Century Persian Shiraz Masterpiece of Splendor
Hand knotted during the Late 19th Century, this wool antique Persian Shiraz rug embodies the untamed beauty and tribal heritage of Southern Persia. Woven by nomadic artisans whose lives revolved around migration, livestock, and oral tradition, Shiraz carpets possess a distinctive spirit that has captivated collectors for generations. Rich with symbolism and personal expression, this stunning masterwork preserves the visual language of a culture that transformed daily life, beliefs, and memories into enduring works of art.
Anchoring the exceptional composition is a dramatic triple pole-medallion arrangement composed of three stepped diamonds aligned vertically across the field. In Persian tribal tradition, the iconic diamond motif symbolizes womanhood, fertility, and the continuation of family lineage. Small latch-hook devices outlining the medallions function as protective amulets intended to repel the evil eye and safeguard the household. Their rhythmic geometry creates a powerful sense of movement while emphasizing the sacred importance of the central axis.
Scattered across the warm rust-orange field is a remarkable menagerie of symbolic imagery. Abstract nightingales celebrate joy, freedom, and contentment, while majestic peacocks evoke immortality and the celestial splendor of paradise. Stylized dragons, inherited from ancient artistic traditions, symbolize power and spiritual guardianship. Tiny quadrupeds representing loyal dogs and treasured livestock reflect prosperity, protection, and the wealth of nomadic life. Angular botanical forms inspired by the Tree of Life offer prayers for continuity, renewal, and everlasting existence.
The dark blue corner spandrels enrich the composition with rosettes, boteh motifs, peacocks, and Tree of Life fragments that reinforce the rug's themes of abundance and paradise. Encircling the exquisite work of art is a succession of meandering borders that create a ceremonial enclosure around the imagery within. Their flowing geometry symbolizes eternity and the unbroken journey of life itself. Rarely does a textile so eloquently preserve the soul of tribal Persia, making this extraordinary antique Persian Shiraz rug a distinguished heirloom worthy of the finest collections.
- Abrash. Desirable Age Wear.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Iran.
- Measures: 07'11 x 10'06.
- Pile Height: 0.30 of an inch.
- Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.
