Baluch Pictorial Rug

Ca. 1900, 168 x 93 cm, North East Persia, Khorasan

This very beautiful Baluch pictorial rug with a camel field was made in the Ferdows region in southern Khorasan. Its theme is the love story of Khosrow and Shirin. Repeated twice at the upper and lower ends of the field, we see King Khosrow mounted on his famous war horse, Shabdiz, and the Armenian princess Shirin standing before him. Both are facing the viewer. Eight further figures depicted face-on take up the centre of the field, standing one above the other in two rows. Three figures have raised their hand in greeting. Quadrupeds and birds drawn to a miniature scale are distributed across the ground. The statuesque manner of representation is a characteristic feature of such Baluch pictorial rugs. A comparatively fine weave, velvety pile wool. The two end finishes presenting diagonal stripes are also pile-woven. – Good condition, original finishes all around.

SCHLAMMINGER, KARL & WILSON, PETER L., Persische Bildteppiche. Geknüpfte Mythen. München 1980, Nr.18

HERRMANN, EBERHART, Von Uschak bis Yarkand. Seltene Orientteppiche II. München 1979, Nr.108 *** SORGATO, DAVID, Baluch from the David Sorgato collection. Mailand 2007, Nr.4