'Akstafa' Salyan rug

CODE: SHRAKS07
Size (metric): 150x200cm
Size (ft): 4'11"x6'6"
Area: 3 m²
Density: 170 000 knots per square meter, totally ~500 000 knots
Weaving period: four months

Colors (16): madder red, dark madder red, midnight blue, cerulean blue, cream, old gold yellow, old purple/mauve, sage green, maroon, forest green, goldenrod, beige, olive green, variegated medium green, natural ivory, natural brown.
Dyes: 100% natural dyes: madder, weld (Reseda Luteola), woad, indigo, pomegranate skins, walnut husks, natural brown sheep wool, natural ivory sheep wool - all are eco-friendly and non-toxic
Materials: Handcarded and handspun wool for pile, wool warps (natural ivory and brown twist) and ivory wefts (two shots)
Ends: knotted bundles

Weavers: woven by Leyla & Nargiz

Design: Inspired by a rare 1870s antique Salyan Akstafa rug design. Click here to read the story

This archaic rich drawing shows peacocks or mythical simurgh birds (ancient Iranian benevolent, mythical flying creature), camels, deers, houses, different human being and animal figures, various bird motives, tribal elements, tamgas, flower heads, tree of life etc around two central octagonal medallions.

Simurgh (ancient Iranian benevolent, mythical flying creature) depicted in Zakarīyā al-Qazwīnī's "Ajā’ib al-makhlūqāt wa-gharā’ib al-mawjūdāt" (Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing) book, XIII (13^th) century. From a 17th century copy

Two simurgh birds depicted on the portal of Nadir Divan-Begi madrasah (part of Lab-i Hauz complex), XVII century. Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Simurgh or peacock motif