This vintage Persian Shiraz area rug, hand-knotted circa the third quarter of the 20th century in the tribal weaving communities of Fars Province, embodies the rich traditions of the Shiraz and Lori weaving peoples at their most expressive. The composition is anchored by three stacked geometric medallions — the enduring 'Shiraz Signature' design also seen in the finest Qashqai weavings — set on a vibrant red field framed by an ivory border with repeating geometric patterns. Accents in French blue, terracotta, and indigo add harmony and depth, while symbolic Tree of Life motifs and small stylized animal figures scattered throughout the field celebrate the themes of nature, protection, and tribal identity.
Shiraz rugs take their name from the ancient city of Shiraz in Fars Province, Southwestern Persia — the city of poets, roses, and wine that has been a center of Persian culture since antiquity. The rugs traded through Shiraz's bazaars were woven primarily by the Qashqai, Luri, and Khamseh tribal confederacies of the surrounding region, and are distinguished by their iconic three-medallion 'Shiraz signature' layout, their bold geometric designs, their use of animal and tree-of-life motifs, and the exceptional quality of their hand-spun, vegetable-dyed tribal wool.
Dimensions: 5' x 9' 8"
Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1900s
Place of Origin: Persia (Shiraz region, Fars Province)
Material: Wool pile on a cotton foundation with vegetable dyes