Description of Design and History
The rose-red medallion lozenge with its two stylized “weeping willow” tree motifs stands on a dark blue field subdivided by a white ribbon-lattice filled with red dots. The floral clusters and palmettos within the polygonal lattice panels are reminiscent of Joshaghan design, this further recalled in the rosette corners, and field surround with its willow pattern and pyramid ornaments. It is sometimes referred to as the “Haji-Khanumi” pattern, although this description is so vague that it may be found referring to both Qashgai and Teheran millefleurs prayer rugs as well. The diagonal emphasis of the central composition is consistent without being over-obtrusive. The border area details a sinuous foliate meander and intricate palmetto repeat in the main border, expressively contrasted with the angular meander of the yellow ground inner border and the fine yellow and sky blue outer medachyl stripe. The vegetable-dye palette of the carpet is unusually extensive, not dyed camel-brown appears in the border, and the pile wool is of the most outstanding kork quality throughout. A Kashan of exceptional caliber, its firm, fine weave, color scheme and stylistic approach indicating a product of the Atasch Oghli workshop, founded in the second quarter of this century.