Antique
Wool
NO. 12640
Persia, c. 1880-1890
4'7" X 7'3" (1.40 m x 2.21 m)
$24,000
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Antique Bakhtiari Pictorial Forest Rug with Mirrored Birds and Blossoms
Hand-knotted in luminous, high-quality wool, this 5x7 antique traditional Bakhtiari rug originates from Persia circa 1880–1890. A rare artifact of profound detail, it represents a pinnacle of the 19th-century Bakhtiari weaving tradition, functioning as a lush, woven window into a pastoral paradise.
On the Design:
This antique Bakhtiari rug is a lyrical masterwork, possessing one of the most highly stylized all-over patterns of its era. The composition is a vibrant, subversive forest depiction, where the field and border alike breathe with a rhythmic life. Against a serene beige-yellow ground, a dense garden of tulips, palmettes, and exotic blossoms unfolds in a celebratory palette of scarlet red, aqua blue, golden-yellow, and soft pink.
Connoisseurs will particularly admire the extraordinary naturalist imagery that defines this piece: a perfectly mirrored assembly of birds and hens—including remarkably detailed robins, cardinals, and swallows. In the symbolic language of the era, these avian figures served as joyful omens of good fortune and prosperity. Framing this internal sanctuary is a deep forest-green border that continues the botanical narrative, creating a sense of containment that is both stately and wild. The juxtaposition of such intricate, hand-drawn detail with a lively, sophisticated colorway creates a timeless work of art—a rare blend of historical provenance and enduring, soulful decorative appeal.
Condition:
This antique Bakhtiari rug is in good condition for its age and origin.
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