Materials: Hand-knotted wool pile on a cotton foundation
Size: 3' 11" x 6' 1" (120 x 186 cm)
Thickness: 6 mm
Origin: Sirjan, Kerman, Persia
Age: Circa 1980s
Vegetable-dyed
Woven in the Sirjan district—almost certainly by **Afshar tribespeople who resettled there generations ago—**this village piece feels like stepping through an adobe gateway into an orchard at dusk. A crenellated carmine‑red “gate” band frames a warm antique‑ivory ground, while a midnight‑indigo diamond medallion, edged in sky‑blue, anchors the centre. Twin saz‑style vine columns climb the field, sprouting stylised blossoms in coral, sapphire, and pistachio.
Local weavers call the layout “Se Kalleh” (Three-Head). As they explain it:
“The name of this design comes from its structure: three cross‑shaped crenellations are woven across the width of the rug.”
Those three stepped, cross‑like crenellations sit proudly at the top and bottom spandrels, acting as protective talismans and giving the piece its unmistakable silhouette.
The rug’s nomadic soul adds warmth without overwhelming. It’s distinctive artistry, architectural lines, orchard‑inspired florals, and the color palette feels both rustic and refined.
