first quarter 20th century, 331 x 144 cm, North East Persia, Khorasan

In the early 17th century, Shah Abbas I moved Kurdish tribes from North West Persia to Khorasan on the north eastern border of his kingdom so as to protect that region from the incessant Turkmen raids. The Guchan Kurds, whose rugs are known as "kordi" in the trade, developed idiosyncratic designs in their new environment that partially reflect their own indigenous traditions and partially echo those of the neighbouring Turkmen and Baluchi. Woven in the kelleh format, this rug from the northern province of Darreh Gaz has a field design of three vertical bands that are separated by two wide vertical stripes of reciprocal trefoils. The three alternately red and yellow stripes contain huge beetle-like motifs. The main border of stars, amulets and tree forms also includes depictions of animals and humans.

Original finishes all around, slight signs of wear in the pile. The corroded dark brown sections have been partially repiled.

HOUSEGO, JENNY, Tribal Rugs. London 1978, pl. 81 *** RIPPON BOSWELL Wiesbaden, A 40, 14 May 1994, lot 15; A 69, 19th May 2007, lot 53