Condition: Good condition with honest age-related wear
Material: Hand-spun wool on wool foundation
Quality: Fine tribal weave with excellent natural vegetable dyes.
This beautiful late 19th-century Persian Qashqai rug is a highly decorative and collectible example of the classic Garden (Khesti) design, one of the most admired patterns woven by the Qashqai tribes. The field is divided into a series of individual compartments, each containing stylized flowering plants, cypress trees, vases, and floral motifs, creating the appearance of a formal Persian garden viewed from above.
The rich color palette combines deep indigo blue, ivory, camel gold, walnut brown, brick red, terracotta, sky blue, and soft green accents. Each panel possesses its own character while remaining harmoniously integrated into the overall composition. The finely drawn motifs and remarkable variety of floral forms demonstrate the artistic creativity of the tribal weavers.
The multiple geometric borders frame the garden design beautifully and provide strong visual contrast. The combination of tribal geometry with classical Persian garden imagery creates a sophisticated balance that is highly sought after by collectors of antique tribal rugs.
Why It Is Special
What makes this rug particularly desirable is its early age, fine quality, and beautiful interpretation of the Garden design. Unlike many later examples, this piece retains the spontaneity and artistic freedom characteristic of authentic 19th-century Qashqai weaving. The individual compartments are filled with charming tree and floral motifs, each woven with subtle variations that reveal the hand of the tribal artisan.
The rug possesses a wonderful balance between tribal character and refined Persian design tradition. Its rich natural dyes have mellowed beautifully over more than a century, producing the soft, harmonious colors that collectors prize. Garden-design Qashqai rugs from the 19th century are considerably less common than medallion examples and are especially appreciated for their decorative appeal and historical significance.
High-end gallery or collector market: $8,500 – $14,000+
The value is supported by its circa-1880 age, desirable Garden (Khesti) design, fine tribal weave, attractive natural colors, and good state of preservation. This is an elegant and highly decorative antique Qashqai rug that would appeal to both serious collectors and sophisticated interior designers seeking an authentic late 19th-century Persian tribal masterpiece.
