Antique Afshar Soumak Kilim
240 x 136 cm (7' 10" x 4' 6")
Persia, ca. 1920
wool x wool + cotton
An antique soumak kilim woven by the Afshar tribe around 1920. Subtle colours are highlighted by an overall deep red/brown background and surrounded in contrast by two white borders.
Like their well-known neighbors, the Qashqai tribe, good Afshar kilims have become more and more scarce, and therefore more valuable. Many who collect desirable Qashqai and Caucasian rugs and kilims almost always include Afshar rugs as well, making stunning art for their floor or as excellent wall hangings.
The soumaktechnique allows the weaver to create intricate decoration, not normally possible with plain kilim weave. The result is a somewhat thicker kilim that can be used as an everyday floor covering.