Khamseh rug

The Khamseh were a confederacy of five southwest Persian tribes created with the support of the Persian imperial government in order to check the power of the influential Qashqai tribal confederacy in the same region. While many southwest Persian tribal rugs are defined by geometric angular drawing incorporating diamonds and latch-hooks, others were inspired by formal Persian textiles and faithfully executed more curvilinear drawing, especially repeat ‘boteh’ paisleys. This elegant Khamseh rug draws large but delicate paisleys floating within a field of blossoming foliage in the manner of a fine Persian shawl. The large almost monumental scale of drawing compounded by fine and subtle detailing create a most dynamic composition.