Carpet with gol farangh design
Afshar tribe, Sirjan area
Southeast Persia
circa 1870
252 x 147 cm (8’3” x 4’10”)
Alg 2117
symmetrically knotted wool pile on a wool foundation

The so-called European flower (gol farangh) pattern has been quite popular in Persia since the Safavid period (1506-1722), gracing the architectural interiors of many mosques from Isfahan to Kerman. It is not surprising therefore to see it employed on some of the most refined weavings of tribal Iran, of which this is a valid representative. The full range of highly saturated dyes employed by the weaver is seen here at its best, further enhanced by the lustrous wool pile and by the impeccable condition. The medium large format is quite rare for this group of Afshar weavings, which is characterised by highly depressed warps and by end skirts woven in the sumakh technique.

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