Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Qashqai Tribal Cradle Textile to the 1920s.
The cradle, which was woven by Qashqa’i Kashkuli nomads during the early 20th century, had been lovingly woven by a tribal mother or grandmother for the impending arrival of the much-wanted baby or grandchild.
The cradle is woven in madder-red plain-weave technique with an abundance of knotted-pile deer or gazelle, stylised flower-heads and one, solitary, tiny, baby deer or gazelle.
I have never come across such an amazing, complete cradle in over 40 years of dealing in antique tribal rugs and weavings and that includes anything in my extensive collection of books showing weavings from private collections worldwide! Maybe there is another one out there somewhere!
Maybe one day too, a museum dedicated to the rugs and weavings of the Persian nomads will be established and where a weaving like this cradle will be on view, to show people how babies in nomadic life spent the first few years of their lives sleeping in cradles like this.
I thought of keeping it but have sadly nowhere to hang it. I hope it can go to a good home. The baby is excluded by the way!
I have priced it fairly according to condition and rarity and all I can say is, find another!
Size: 1.15 x 0.79m (3' 9" x 2' 7").
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Qashqai Tribal Cradle Textile to the 1920s.
Dealing in antique and old tribal rugs, dowry weavings and decorative carpets from the near east and central asia since 1979.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets Profile Page
Rare Antique Qashqa’i Baby Cradle, Kashkuli Tayefeh, Fars Province, South-west Persia.
