Qashqai Lion Persian Gabbeh, c. 1950–60

Hand knotted by a Qashqai bride in mid-twentieth-century Fars, this Lion Gabbeh reads like a love letter in wool. The guardian lion, symbol of courage and devotion, strides across a madder-red field that shifts from raspberry to rust, each colour change revealing natural-dyed abrash. Its mane glows with saffron and olive weld tones, while smaller lions and village dancers form a playful border that celebrates tribal life. Plush, resilient pile, far thicker than most urban-market weavings, rests on hand-spun wool warps and wefts. A ruler count shows about twenty-two knots across seven centimetres and roughly twenty-five rows vertically, equating to nearly seventy-two knots per square inch. Braided two-colour selvedges protect the edges, and alternating red wefts add a discreet design touch on the reverse. Measuring 143 × 111 cm, this vintage Persian rug can ground an entry or hang as a striking wall panel, bringing warmth, narrative charm and authentic nomadic spirit to contemporary interiors.

Handwoven, usually by women, on horizontal looms, Gabbehs are made from sustainably sourced local handspun wool and natural dyes and feature a thick, soft, lustrous pile.