Persian Afshar Rug. What is your opinion?

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hello all Members! I would like to present you this Afshar Rug. I am interested to know your assessment, for both the age and quality aspects. I was told this piece is around 1880. This is my first persian Afshar Rug ,and I can't hide to you that I am a little crazy about caucasian rugs ,especially Kazak Rugs, not about persian rugs and so this is my first one! Honestly, I think that caucasian rugs are bolder and stronger in general and especially in pattern and design. Then, now I am just a bit disappointed, that I have bought this piece... do you think this is a nice rug indeed and that is my taste that is in fault!?! Thank you for your opinion. Lorenzo

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Lorenzo

I'm not sure this isn't Caucasian. I'd guess it dates to the late 19th century. It's handsome, has great color, and I will be glad to hold onto it for you for as long as you like.

Best

Steve Price

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Steve,

So, you are saying this Rug is finer and more valuable than I thought!?! If so ,I wouldn't be happier...indeed. Thank you so much for your kind words. Regarding caucasian or not this rug is Afshar, then of a nomadic tribe living in Persia, of turkic origin. So not properly persian in the strict sense, though very influenced by persian design and pattern. Am I right ,isn't it? Thank you! Lorenzo

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Lorenzo

My best guess is that your rug was woven in the late 19th century in the Shirvan area of Azerbaijan (Caucasus). The only doubt I have comes from the colors on flatwoven ends. I think it's the work of a cottage industry village weaver, not of someone in a nomadic tribe. Bear in mind that Azerbaijan was part of Persia until the 19th century - the two northernmost provinces of Iran today are Azerbaijan and North Azerbaijan. Tabriz was formerly the Azerbaijan capitol city.

Best

Steve Price

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for your accurate observations. You are really very knowledgable about rugs! I always learn something interesting and new from you and from this Forum. Frankly speaking, the seller of my rug states this rug is from Kerman area, south-east current Iran...then whom I have to believe!?! You say to me that the rug is a cottage industry one, then is it not Afshar? Thank you. Lorenzo

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Hello Lorenzo -

I feel that the Afshar attribution is still a possibility. The main border, the overall field design, and some of the motifs suggest as much, although the shape of the rug is not typical. Most Afshar pieces tend to be squarer in format. If you have a look at Tanavoli's book on the Afshar, you probably see what I mean. I agree with Steve, though, when he says that this is a village, not nomadic, production.

Best wishes,

John

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Hello again, Lorenzo -

I found this on the internet. It was for auction fairly recently and was attributed to the Afshar, with a suggested date of around 1900. I think it has something in common with your piece.

Best wishes,

John

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hello John,

Thank you for your opinion and assessment! Wow...you have just found a very similiar examplar, almost identical in patterning. Where, exacly did you find it? Very interesting. Then, it seems my rug is Afshar!?! Maybe not nomadic, a cottage product. Honestly, I have not present the Tanavoli book. Thank you to share your knowledge with me, I learned new things. Lorenzo

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Hello Lorenzo -

I hope I'm not breaking Turkotek rules by putting up this link to the rug that is illustrated above! It has already sold, so there is probably no harm in it.

https://www.visconteacasadaste.com/u...g-persia-40260

Best wishes,

John

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hello John,

Thank you so much for your link. Very kind of you. I think the rug in auction is in a better condition than mine but very similiar, indeed. Also ,it was estimated an amount very much more than the price I paid for mine rug at an eBay auction! I think I was able to have it at a fraction of that price ,fortunately. Thanks, again. Lorenzo

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Lorenzo - The rug John linked is certainly of the same geographic origin and date as yours.

Hi John - We've always allowed posting rugs that are on the market to illustrate things otherwise impossible, so you have no worries about our rules.

Best

Steve Price

[PaulSmith Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaulSmith]

Another vote here for Afshar, c.1900. I don't know if chairs are always on this rug, though I see some wear by one of them, but Afshars have more fragile wool than other weaves, and I would think you would want this in a very low-traffic situation with a good rug pad, or better yet, hang it. It's in pretty good shape, and you'd hate to wear it out.

Nice piece! Cheers, Paul

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your kind words and advise! Yes, I definetely agree with you, I didn't like to lay the rugs on the floor, and so wear them out. I have just a few nice rugs hung on the walls of my living room ,indeed. However, I don't know what I will like to do with this rug, yet. My rug has some worn areas, and maybe is quite fragile. I will see...! Thank you. Lorenzo

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Dear all contributors,

Then, I can draw some conclusions. I have certainly learned to re-value also this kind of rugs, the persian ones! I probably had a mild form of prejudice about them. I though them as less valuable and beautiful than caucasian ones. I changed my mind! I appreciate them, too. Regarding my rug, we agree it is around 1900, a cottage industry one, doubts remain about its origin : is it Afshar, and if so where exacly it comes from? Or a Shirvan as Steve suggested? What do you think? Thank you so much. Lorenzo

[Jim Miller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jim Miller]

Here is a distinctly afshar bag face with a similar pattern to the field in your rug