5938 Jaf kurd rug

5938 Jaf Kurd Rug
3’-10” x 6’-8”
c. 1920
Sold 2025

Notes:

There was some discussion with a few dealer friends of mine as to what this actually was. While the title inherits the ‘Jaf’ descriptor, it’s most likely not from the region that the Jaf Kurds inhabit(ed). This name comes, clearly, from the design elements of the diamond lattice usually given to only bag-faces.

One expert felt that the weave indicated it was from Northeast Persia, and could be designated as a Quchan (Kuchan) Kurd. Another felt that it may actually be Luri (Lori), which would render it made at least on the same side of Persia as the Jafs. That being said, after some deliberation and a recent comparison of another Quchan, I will have to agree with the former opinion.

Of course attribution should not detract from the fact this is an incredibly beautiful rug with the same ‘swatch’ style that the Jaf Kurd bags have that give an idea of what both the dyers and weavers were capable of in both the work involved in dying and execution of it in a visually pleasing style.