Vintage Persian Shiraz Rug, Hand-Knotted Wool | c.1960s

An exceptional vintage Persian Shiraz rug, distinguished not only by its tribal character and charming folklore motifs but also by its likely provenance as a piece woven for personal significance rather than the burgeoning mid-century export market.

A Rug with a Soul and a Story:

According to the rich oral history associated with pieces like this, the small, stylised bird motifs are divine messengers, watching over the household and reporting behaviour to the "angel" or human figures also woven into the field. This imbues the rug with a sense of life and moral guidance, typical of authentic folk art created for personal or community use.

We can confidently date this rug to the mid-20th century. The dyes, while vibrant (especially the traditional madder red), show the stability and clarity characteristic of high-quality chrome dyes perfected around this time. Crucially, the design retains a pure, un-commercialised tribal aesthetic, rich with folk motifs like the angels and birds. This combination—mid-century materials with deeply traditional, non-simplified design—strongly suggests it was woven before the large-scale adaptation of Persian weaving for Western export markets intensified in later decades. Rugs of this specific quality and character were often treasured family possessions, not typically sold internationally. Its presence outside Iran suggests it may well have journeyed with a family migrating overseas, making it a rare cultural treasure with an intimate link to personal history.

Crafted from 100% pure wool, the rug boasts a lush, thick, and heavy pile, indicative of its quality and intended longevity. A striking geometric pole medallion with three large diamonds anchors the design. Professionally cleaned and in excellent vintage condition, its generous 260x180cm size is perfect for grounding a significant space, offering not just beauty but a tangible connection to a lost era of Persian tribal life.

Origin: Persia (Iran). Circa 1960s

Materials: Hand-Knotted Wool, Vegtable dyes

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Professionally cleaned. Full, lush, heavy pile.

Note: Consistent with its age and hand-knotted nature, there are some minor loose threads along the selvages (side edges). These are a natural part of the rug's design, wear and history and do not affect its structural integrity.

Dimension: W: 180 x L: 260 cm