Antique Proto Kurdish Early Rug

Circa 1800
4’8″ X 5’9″

This rare Antique Proto Kurdish Early rug is woven around 1800’s or earlier. This example shows the origin of Mahi (fish) design and how it evolved into the classical Herrati pattern. The border holds beautiful dragons and alternating phoenixes.

As expected for a rugs age it is a bit weathered, but beautiful nonetheless. Kurds are masters of color. Proto Kurdish rugs are as diverse as the ethnic weavers who created them. The presence of Kurdish weavers in the northwestern area of Persia and the Iranian Kurdistan region has led to some stylistic overlap with northwest Persian designs and Transcaucasia motives.