The Qashqai (also Kashkai or Ghashghai) are a confederation of Turkic-speaking tribes in Fars province in southern Iran. Traditionally nomadic, they migrate each year between summer pastures in the Zagros mountains and winter pastures near the Persian Gulf. Their rugs are among the most admired tribal rugs of Iran: finely woven for tribal work, full of bright natural color, and decorated with medallions, animals, flowers and symbols drawn with great spirit.
| Origin | Qashqai tribes of Fars province, southern Iran |
|---|---|
| Tradition | Tribal (nomadic and semi-nomadic) |
| Knot | Mostly asymmetric; some symmetric |
| Materials | Lustrous wool pile on a wool foundation |
| Knotting | Medium to fine for tribal rugs |
| Typical designs | Diamond or hexagon medallions, animals, boteh, Herati, millefleurs |
| Common colors | Madder red, deep blue, ivory, gold, green and orange |
The Qashqai and their weaving
Weaving is done mainly by Qashqai women, on horizontal ground looms that can be packed up and moved during the migrations. They weave pile rugs, kilims, gabbehs, saddlebags and the many other bags and bands needed for nomadic life, using wool from their own flocks. The best Qashqai wool is soft and lustrous, and the colors, from madder reds and indigo blues to bright yellows and greens, glow with the depth of good dyeing.
Within the confederation, some subgroups are known for particular quality. Rugs of the Kashkuli are especially finely woven, with crisp drawing and dense pile, and are among the most sought-after.
Designs
- Medallion designs: one or several diamond or hexagonal medallions, often with hooked edges, on a red or blue field.
- Animals and birds: lions, deer, dogs, goats, peacocks and roosters scattered among the motifs.
- All-over designs: boteh, Herati and the millefleurs ("thousand flowers") pattern.
- Lion rugs: a single lion, sometimes with a sun or sword, a symbol of strength and protection.
Qashqai borders often include a band of small stars or rosettes, and the corners are filled with triangular spandrels. See Rug Motifs and Their Meanings.
Construction
Qashqai rugs usually have a wool foundation, with dark or ivory wool warps, which makes them soft and supple. A typical feature is the side finish: the selvedges are often wrapped in alternating colors, giving a striped "barber pole" edge, and the ends may have a flatwoven band and tasselled or braided fringe. Because they are woven on ground looms, some irregularity in shape is normal.
Qashqai, Shiraz and Gabbeh
Qashqai rugs are often sold under the market name "Shiraz," after the provincial capital, though the name is also used for more ordinary rugs of the region. See Shiraz Rugs. The Qashqai also weave Gabbehs, thick, simple rugs for their own use, and settled Qashqai weave the neater Abadeh rugs.
See also Persian Tribal Rugs.
