Qashqai Rug
What is a Qashqai Rug?
A Qashqai rug is a Persian tribal carpet handwoven by the Qashqai people—a confederation of nomadic tribes in Iran’s Fars province near Shiraz. Known for their expressive folk-art character, Qashqai rugs are made with wool pile and wool foundation, using the asymmetrical Persian knot. These rugs feature dynamic geometric medallions, often diamonds, set against fields filled with symbolic motifs such as animals, birds, flowers, and abstract tribal icons. Each Qashqai rug is woven freehand from memory, resulting in original, spontaneous designs that vary from rug to rug. The wool is soft, glossy, and rich in lanolin, enabling it to absorb natural vegetable dyes beautifully. Common colors include deep madder red, indigo blue, burnt orange, saffron yellow, and ivory. Many Qashqai rugs have a fine knot count (up to 120+ knots per square inch in antique examples) and excellent durability. They are highly prized for their artistic individuality and rich connection to Persian nomadic culture.
Qashqai Rug History and Origin
Qashqai rugs originate from the Fars province in southwest Iran, where the Qashqai Confederacy has lived for centuries. Historically nomadic, the Qashqai tribes migrated across the Zagros Mountains, weaving rugs for practical use and trade. Women in Qashqai families began learning the intricate art of rug making in early childhood, creating patterns entirely from memory. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, these rugs were sold in the Shiraz bazaar, often labeled simply as “Shiraz rugs.” Even as settlement increased, many Qashqai continued to produce rugs with traditional materials and motifs. The late 1800s and early 1900s are considered the golden era of Qashqai weaving, with those pieces now highly collectible. Today, Qashqai rugs are still produced in some villages and retain the essential tribal identity, color vibrancy, and storytelling that have made them enduring symbols of Persian nomadic craftsmanship.
How to Identify Qashqai Rug? Qashqai Rug Pattern, Colors, Design
Qashqai rugs are easily recognizable by their vibrant color palettes, dynamic geometric motifs, and symbolic ornamentation. A typical layout includes a large central diamond medallion—or a vertical trio of hooked diamonds—surrounded by a field packed with small tribal figures like birds, four-legged animals, and flowers. The back often reveals red or rust-colored weft threads, a construction detail common in Qashqai weavings. These rugs use asymmetrical knots on wool warps and wefts, producing a thin yet durable textile. Colors are deeply saturated thanks to natural vegetable dyes—madder red, indigo blue, saffron yellow, and burnt orange are especially prominent. The wool is lanolin-rich and has a natural sheen. Another signature feature is the barber-pole selvage, a two-tone wool twist along the rug’s side edges. The overall aesthetic of Qashqai rugs is playful, vibrant, and deeply expressive—a mix of precision and spontaneity that reflects centuries of tribal storytelling.
How Much Do Qashqai Rugs Cost?
Qashqai rugs are among the most collectible tribal Persian carpets and their value varies based on age, knot density, condition, and artistic uniqueness. Smaller vintage pieces (3×5 ft or 91×152 cm) typically start around $500 to $1,000, while mid-size antique examples (like 4×6 ft or 122×183 cm) generally range from $2,000 to $5,000. For example, a well-preserved antique 4×6 ft Qashqai was recently priced at $5,250. Finer 19th-century examples—especially rare types like Shekarlu or Kashkuli Qashqai rugs—can reach prices of $8,000 to $15,000 or more. Runners and bag faces can also command premium prices when richly decorated or unusually old. Wool quality, color saturation, and design originality all affect pricing. While Qashqai rugs tend to be more expensive than generic tribal rugs, they’re considered excellent long-term investments, offering exceptional craftsmanship, artistic depth, and a strong cultural legacy.
What Are Common Qashqai Rug Sizes?
Qashqai rugs are traditionally woven in portable sizes due to the nomadic lifestyle of their creators. Most antique and vintage examples range from 3×5 ft to 5×7 ft (91×152 cm to 152×213 cm), ideal for tents or small living spaces. Runners are also common, typically 3–4 ft wide by 10–15 ft long (0.9–1.2 m by 3–4.5 m), and occasionally longer. Large Qashqai rugs, such as 8×10 ft (244×305 cm) or 9×12 ft (275×366 cm), are relatively rare and often produced after settlement, when weavers had access to larger, stationary looms. In addition to floor rugs, many small-format weavings like bag faces, saddle covers, and storage panel textiles (under 3 ft or ~1 m) were created and sometimes appear on the rug market. Because most Qashqai rugs are small to mid-sized, they’re especially suitable as accent pieces, hallway runners, or layering elements in eclectic interior spaces.
