Vintage Persian Luri Tribal Kilim

From the windswept Zagros Mountains of southwestern Persia comes this extraordinary vintage Kilim, a textile that is not merely woven but inhabited by the spirit of its creator.

 This is a piece born of a nomadic life, a world where art and utility are inseparable. Handwoven by a Luri tribeswoman in the mid-20th century, it is more than a floor covering; it is a woven soul, a powerful fragment of a vanishing way of life. To live with this Kilim is to be in the presence of an object of profound authenticity, its every thread telling a story of resilience, belief, and the timeless beauty of folk art.

The field of this magnificent Kilim is a testament to the power of ancient symbolism. It is covered in a mesmerising, repeating pattern of hooked lozenges—diamond-shaped medallions that have served as protective talismans for millennia. In the weaver's culture, the lozenge was a potent shield against the evil eye, a way to ensure the safety and well-being of her family. The hooks that radiate from each diamond are symbols of strength and defence, amplifying the protective energy of the design. This is not simply a pattern; it is a powerful invocation, an unbroken chain of amulets designed to transform a simple tent into a sacred sanctuary. The rhythmic, banded composition tells a story in horizontal verses, each one a chapter in the weaver's creative journey.

This Kilim is a masterpiece of "earth-to-loom" craftsmanship, a tribute to its anonymous female creator. The journey began with wool shorn from the tribe's own sheep, its fibres rich with the lanolin that gives the textile its characteristic lustre and durability. This wool was then hand-spun into strong, honest yarn, its slight variations lending the surface a lively, organic texture. The colours — deep madder reds, earthy browns, and the pure ivory of undyed wool — were coaxed from the wild plants, roots, and minerals of the mountain landscape. Look closely, and you will see the subtle shifts in colour known as abrash. This is the weaver's heartbeat made visible, the beautiful "imperfection" that proves the piece was dyed in small, personal batches and woven by human hands, a tangible connection to the artisan herself.

Creator: Luri Artisan 

Place of Origin: Zagros Mountains, Persia (Iran)

Date of Manufacture: Circa 1960s-1970s (Vintage)

Materials and Technique: Handwoven Kilim in Hand-Spun Wool with Natural Vegetable Dyes

Dimensions: 253 cm W x 340 cm L 

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Structurally sound with a rich, saturated palette that has mellowed beautifully with age. The piece is robust, thick, and lies flat. It has been professionally cleaned and is ready for immediate placement in a discerning interior.