Antique Tribal Luri Rug, last quarter of 19th century 259 cm x 131 cm This is an antique rug attributed to the Lurs tribe. According to the expert and author James Opie: “The Lurs are one of the few surviving tribal groups who lived in the same lands since the earliest periods of Persian history. They are a truly native tribe.” This s a collector´s and also a beautiful decorative piece, woven in last quarter of the 19 th century, with varied and saturated dyes that became milder by age. Five medallions decorated with a reciprocal guard of ‘bird heads’ in ivory and midnight blue, are placed on a field transformed on both sides to polychromatic half diamonds, filled with floating little diamonds. The colors of this “field”: saffron yellow, brown, blue, madder red and green, are randomly disposed according to the weaver wishes or may be due to the availability of dyed wool, any the case, these variations add interest and contrast to the composition. The border system is very elaborate at the same time, plenty of tribal flavor. It is composed by nine guards: at both extremes, reciprocal triangles (red-green and brown-blue), small guards with squares (the ivory one providing contrasted framing), two main guards with multicolored rosettes (the outer one, stands out in midnight blue), finally 3 guards with diagonal lines (the main one named “barber pole” guard). On just one medallion, we find four highly stylized animals, probably a reference to the tribe totem. Wool pile knotted on wool foundation, some of it is visible on the lower section, both ends secured, medium to low pile all around. Original and complete, including the supplementary embroidered guards on both ends. Literature: a related example was published on the book “Tribal Rugs” by James Opie. usa, 1992. Page 128. Plate 7.28. Luri, Fars Province. Mid-nineteenth century or earlier. See more rugs in https://trybal.com.ar