4 x 7 Vintage Mexican Zapotec Kilim Rug 77802

77802 Vintage Mexican Zapotec Kilim Rug, 04'06 x 06'07.

This exceptional handwoven wool vintage Zapotec rug from Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring a commanding eagle clutching a serpent, is a cultural and visual masterpiece—an emblem of mythic power and national identity rendered in fiber. At once regal and primal, this rare textile captures the soul of a civilization through its central motif, a powerful homage to the legend at the heart of the Mexican flag. Woven by master artisans whose techniques have been passed down for generations, this piece embodies exclusivity not only through its craftsmanship but through its profound symbolic resonance.

Set against a creamy beige field, this exquisite work of art depicts the eagle with outstretched wings and fierce talons poised over a stylized cactus blossom. The signature snake, a serpent—coiled, black, and sinuous—is held in the eagle’s beak, an iconic image symbolizing triumph, rebirth, and resilience. Rendered in earthy tones of chestnut, ochre, onyx, and maize, the image carries both ancestral weight and modern graphic impact. Flanking the image, stepped geometric meanders invoke ancient glyphs and architectural forms, grounding the myth in a lineage of sacred design.

Surrounding this bold central composition are broad horizontal bands in soft desert hues—rich browns, sun-washed golds, and dusk-toned grays—that echo the layered landscapes of Oaxaca’s valleys and sierras. These bands, like the seasons or time itself, frame the narrative with rhythmic precision. The use of undyed and naturally dyed wool underscores a commitment to sustainable practices and the preservation of ancestral knowledge, positioning this extraordinary rug not just as an object of beauty, but as a symbol of ethical luxury.

For the refined collector or culturally attuned interior, this vintage Zapotec kilim is more than decor—it is a declaration of identity and a tribute to mythic storytelling. Rarely encountered in such striking condition and bold narrative clarity, it offers a moment of historical intimacy, a portal into Mesoamerican lore reimagined for the modern connoisseur. Whether displayed as a dramatic wall hanging or laid with reverence in a curated space, this precious textile affirms a commitment to art, authenticity, and the enduring power of symbol.

• Desirable Age Wear. A couple of small spots.
• Abrash.
• Hand-woven wool.
• Made in Mexico. Hecho en Mexico.
• Measures: 04'06 x 06'07.
• Date: 1970's. Late 20th Century.