For centuries, the Afshar nomads were a prominent ethnic group in various regions of Persia. However, in the 20th century, they primarily settled in southeastern Iran. While their exact origin is debated, their Turkish dialect is believed to have roots in Azerbaijan or Eastern Turkey.
19th-century Afshar carpets are celebrated for their material quality and unique aesthetics. Their geometric designs draw strong influences from Eastern Anatolia, Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Turkestan, strikingly resembling ancient rugs woven in the Caucasus, particularly in present-day Azerbaijan’s Shirvan district.
Their most recognized designs include diagonal lines of boteh, with experts suggesting that Afshar weavers pioneered its use in carpet weaving, and a classic design featuring a vertical axis with three aligned medallions. Their most intriguing innovation is the “Dragon and Phoenix”, a rarely seen, highly abstract rendition of geometric motifs from ancient China. Other designs include the “tulip”, the “Tree of Life”, and rows of medallions, demonstrating the originality of their art: Caucasian designs with a unique southern Persian touch!
High-quality antique Afshar carpets are distinguished by their deeply saturated dyeing techniques and construction with lanolin-rich wool sourced from their own sheep flocks.
See the collection: browse our antique Persian rugs — for example, Afshar Southern and Afshar Southern.
Related reading: How the Silk Road spread Persian rugs across the world · A Guide to Valuing the Artistry of Durable Ancient Heriz Rugs · After all, what is the meaning of the term boteh? · The Pazyryk Carpet – The Oldest Carpet in the World! · What Makes Silk Rugs Exceptional?
