Late 19th Century Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 04'06 X 06'03

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79723 Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 04'06 x 06'03.

The Sacred Lattice: An Antique Persian Bakhtiari Masterpiece of Tribal Splendor

This … Read more 79723 Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 04'06 x 06'03.

The Sacred Lattice: An Antique Persian Bakhtiari Masterpiece of Tribal Splendor

This hand-knotted wool antique Persian Bakhtiari rug from the Late 19th Century embodies the commanding artistry of tribal Persia, where geometry, nature, and ancestral symbolism converge in a striking statement of heritage. Across its deep navy field, a magnificent lattice of diamond-shaped compartments unfolds with architectural rhythm, creating the celebrated Kheshti, or garden, composition. Traditionally associated with the Persian vision of Paradise, these individual panels evoke cultivated plots within an idealized garden—a symbolic landscape of abundance, happiness, and prosperity transformed into an enduring work of textile art.

Alternating throughout the exceptional composition are imposing tribal cross motifs, rendered as four-armed geometric emblems with branching, leaf-like interiors. Within this weaving tradition, these iconic cruciform devices function primarily as protective forms, carrying associations with safeguarding the household and deflecting misfortune. Their monumental scale gives this stunning masterwork a powerful visual cadence, while the shifting grounds of madder, ivory, blue, and verdant tones create the impression of precious architectural tiles assembled across the field. Tiny mirrored hooks along the compartments introduce another ancient vocabulary, recalling ram’s-horn forms associated with strength, courage, and heroic vitality.

Interspersed among these commanding devices are radiant geometric rosettes, their multicolored petals opening from compact centers like stylized wildflowers. These blossoms traditionally speak to fecundity, regeneration, and the promise of a flourishing future, lending an optimistic counterpoint to the protective character of the crosses. Smaller stars, hooked elements, angular botanicals, and scattered flower heads enrich the spaces between the principal medallions, giving the surface the captivating density prized in distinguished Bakhtiari weaving. The deliberate alternation between botanical and talismanic imagery makes each compartment feel like a treasured emblem within a larger symbolic garden.

Framing this extraordinary masterpiece is an angular floral border punctuated by serrated leaves, contained by crenellated fence-like guard borders that impart a sense of enclosure and sanctuary. The perimeter serves as a symbolic threshold around the garden within, completing the piece with disciplined structure and decorative authority. With its graphic presence, time-softened palette, and compelling repertoire of protective and paradisiacal motifs, this antique Bakhtiari is a coveted expression of Persian tribal culture—an exquisite work of art whose character speaks to connoisseurship, legacy, and the privilege of possessing something genuinely storied.

Abrash.
Hand knotted wool.
Measures: 04'06 x 06'03.
Pile Height: 0.16 of an inch.
Date: 1890's. Late 19th Century. See less