Period: Late 19th Century Origin: Qashqai Tribe, Southwestern Iran Dimensions: 148 x 222 cm This rare late 19th century Persian Qashqai rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring an all over “checkerboard” or mosaic design of hundreds of small, multi colored concentric squares anchored within a dark, saturated charcoal indigo field. This structural balance between the repeating mathematical grid and the individual variations in color often referred to as a “pixelated” or modernist aesthetic reflects the pinnacle of the Qashqai nomadic weaving tradition from the Fars province of Southwest Persia. Rugs of this antiquity and abstraction are world renowned for their avant garde visual language, which predates Western minimalist art by decades. The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary dark field that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of madder red, saffron yellow, forest green, sky blue, and ivory. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 130 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest late 19th century tribal productions. The inclusion of narrow, minimalist borders anchored by a simple ivory ground guard border with a rhythmic sequence of reciprocating geometric “teeth” creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and the distinctive technical finesse of the weavers. Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand spun local wool with a characteristically fine clipped, resilient pile and a firm, substantial handle. The exceptional clarity of the geometric outlines specifically the perfectly nested squares and the complex, multi colored kilim style flatwoven ends definitively distinguishes this antique masterpiece as an authentic late 19th century Qashqai. Ultimately, this rug stands as a premier example of Persian tribal art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.