C932. South Persian Rug Shiraz Runner Oriental Rug - $265.00

South Persian tribal rug, Shiraz, in runner configuration, 2'6"x12'8", c. 1960, flatwoven rug executed in sumak technique (see below). In the South Persian Province of Fars are many tribal groups including the Qashqa'i, Khamseh, Afshar, Lurs. and Bakhtiyari. From weaving villages all over Fars rugs and carpets have found their way into the bazaars of Shiraz, Fars Province's principal city. Many of these rugs were baled in burlap for shipment to Western markets. "SHIRAZ" was stencilled on the bales. As a consequence a variety of tribal weavings of Fars Province have been given the generic name of Shiraz. While many of the rugs of Fars exhibit weaving techniques and materials peculiar to individual tribal units, the Shiraz attribution has been a useful collective trade name for these rugs.

The present rug, an all-wool flatwoven rug decorated in sumak technique was woven by a member of the Afshar tribe. Alternating camel, red and blue panels contain quadrupeds, probably antelopes and dogs, and humanoids, definitely women. Because of the length of this rug there are two additional panels, red and blue that are not visible in the above photo.

Sumak is a flatweave technique wherein wefts wrap around several warps on the horizontal plane. The image above is a direct scan of sumak in the closure area of another saddlebag, that below of its back.