Mid 19th century, 224 x 117 cm, North West Persia, Kurdistan

This very unusual village rug from the Bijar area, probably a one-off, is woven in a long and narrow format and surrounded by a secondary border of floral design. The camel field contains a huge shield medallion with a large star-filled octagon attached at each end. Why the Kurdish weaver came to choose the characteristic medallion of Sevan Kazaks for her rug, and how she knew about it, remains a mystery. She added her own folkloric touch by incorporating four large female figures and two henna plants into the medallion. Four further female figures as well as rosettes and botehs are depicted outside the medallion. – Slight signs of age and wear, original finishes all around.