Rug Encyclopedia · Persian Tribal Weaving
A Qashqai rug is a hand-knotted Persian tribal rug woven by the nomadic Qashqai confederacy of the Fars highlands around Shiraz in south-west Iran — you know one by its exceptionally lustrous, glowing wool, its hexagonal or diamond medallions on a madder-red or indigo field, and a densely packed world of tiny tribal motifs woven from memory.
Woven by: the nomadic Qashqai (Kashkai) confederacy · Origin: the Fars highlands around Shiraz, south-west Iran · Material: exceptionally lustrous wool pile on a wool foundation — among the finest tribal wool in Iran · Knot: symmetrical or asymmetrical tribal weave, drawn from memory · Design: one or more hexagonal or diamond medallions on a madder-red or indigo field, filled edge-to-edge with birds, animals, stylised flowers, boteh and combs · Fine sub-group: the Kashkuli, the most refined Qashqai weave · Formats: small to medium — closely related to Shiraz rugs.
- What is a Qashqai rug?
- What makes a rug a "Qashqai"
- Hand-knotted vs power-loomed
- Who the Qashqai are & their history
- Designs, motifs & the Kashkuli
- Colors, dyes & the famous wool
- Construction & spec
- Sizes
- How to spot an authentic Qashqai
- Qashqai vs Gabbeh vs Baluch
- How to choose a Qashqai rug
- Care & maintenance
- Value & the Arteverk Value Ladder
- FAQ
What is a Qashqai rug?
A Qashqai (also spelled Kashkai or Qashqa'i) rug is a hand-knotted Persian tribal rug woven by the Qashqai, a large nomadic confederacy who move with their flocks through the Fars highlands around Shiraz in south-west Iran. The name marks a weaving people, not a single village or a modern workshop. Two things separate a Qashqai from almost every other oriental rug on sight: the wool is exceptionally lustrous — among the finest and glossiest tribal wool woven anywhere in Iran — and the field is densely alive, one or more hexagonal or diamond medallions surrounded edge-to-edge by tiny birds, animals, stylised flowers, boteh and combs. It is all drawn from memory, without a cartoon, which is why a genuine Qashqai reads as warm and personal rather than mechanically perfect. Qashqai rugs are closely related to the Shiraz rugs sold through that city's bazaar.
What makes a rug a "Qashqai"?
- Lustrous, glowing wool. The Qashqai used exceptionally glossy, high-lanolin highland wool — among the finest tribal wool in Iran — so the pile catches the light and the natural dyes glow rather than sit flat.
- Dense tribal motifs. A hexagonal or diamond medallion anchors the field, which is then filled corner to corner with tiny birds, animals, stylised flowers, boteh and combs — a whole tribal world in miniature.
- Woven from memory. Qashqai weavers work without a cartoon, drawing the design from memory on a wool foundation, so each piece carries the small, human irregularities of hand weaving.
- One of a kind. Each hand-knotted Qashqai is woven by a single weaver from memory; no two are ever identical.
Hand-knotted Qashqai vs power-loomed — read this before you buy
The single most important thing to check when buying a Qashqai is how it was made. Two rugs can share the same tribal medallion and lustrous look, yet be completely different objects — and we label them honestly.
Hand-knotted Qashqai
Tied by hand, knot by knot, in lustrous wool on a wool foundation — a genuine Persian tribal rug woven in Iran by the Qashqai, and one of a kind. It ages beautifully, can be repaired, and is an heirloom. This is the heart of our Qashqai collection.
Power-loomed Qashqai
Machine-woven with a Qashqai design — a budget-friendly way to get the tribal look, but it is not hand-knotted, not one-of-a-kind, and won't wear or age the same way. We always label it power-loomed, never "hand-knotted."
Both are honest choices — they just aren't the same thing. To know which you're getting, check the Construction field on each product page; it states hand-knotted or power-loomed plainly. See our guide to power-loomed rugs if that is what you are after.
Who are the Qashqai, and where do their rugs come from?
The Qashqai are a large Turkic-speaking nomadic confederacy of south-west Iran, made up of several tribes who for centuries migrated twice a year between winter pastures near the Persian Gulf and summer highlands north of Shiraz, in the province of Fars. That migratory life shaped their weaving: rugs, bags and animal trappings woven on portable looms, from the wool of their own flocks and dyed with the plants and roots around them. Shiraz, the regional capital, was the market where their rugs were traded, which is why the terms "Qashqai" and "Shiraz" are so often used side by side. Unlike the great Persian city workshops with their formal cartoons, Qashqai weaving is a household craft passed weaver to weaver — which is exactly why the designs are drawn from memory and the wool is so personal. Distinct sub-groups emerged across the confederacy, the finest being the Kashkuli.
Qashqai designs, motifs & the Kashkuli
Qashqai design is dense, tribal and drawn without a cartoon — a strong central medallion surrounded by a crowded, joyful field. A few motifs recur across almost every genuine piece.
- Hexagonal or diamond medallion — one or more stepped, pole-like medallions running down the centre of a madder-red or indigo field; the anchor of the classic Qashqai layout.
- Birds & animals — tiny stylised birds, dogs, goats, horses and peacocks scattered across the field, a hallmark of Qashqai storytelling in wool.
- Boteh (paisley) — the teardrop seed-and-flame motif, repeated small and angular among the other devices.
- Comb & stylised flowers — the weaving comb itself, a talisman of the craft, alongside rows of geometric blossoms filling every gap in the field.
- Kashkuli sub-group — the most refined Qashqai weave, finer-knotted and more detailed than the tribal average, prized by collectors as the top of the Qashqai family.
Colors, natural dyes & the famous wool
Qashqai color is warm, saturated and glowing — carried by wool renowned as some of the finest and glossiest in tribal Iran.
- Madder red — deep, brick-to-rust red from madder root; the classic Qashqai field color.
- Indigo blue — navy through mid-blue, the standard partner to madder and a common alternative field.
- Ivory & gold — undyed natural wool and weld-based yellows used to make the reds and blues snap and to light up the crowded field.
- Lustrous wool — the Qashqai signature: exceptionally glossy, high-lanolin highland wool that takes dye deeply and keeps a soft sheen, so even a dark field glows rather than sitting flat — the fastest way to tell hand-dyed tribal wool from a chemical imitation.
The wool is the story. Qashqai flocks graze the Fars highlands, and their fleece is prized across Iran for its length, strength and shine. That lustre is not a finish added later — it is the raw material, and it is a large part of why a good Qashqai holds its glow for generations.
How are Qashqai rugs made?
Qashqai rugs are hand-knotted in lustrous wool pile on a wool foundation — using the symmetrical or asymmetrical knot at a fine-ish tribal density — and drawn from memory rather than from a cartoon. Because they were woven on looms that moved with the tribe, the formats stay small to medium. The finer Kashkuli sub-group is knotted more tightly and drawn in more detail than the tribal average.
| Feature | Typical Qashqai |
|---|---|
| Weave | Hand-knotted tribal, drawn from memory |
| Knot type | Symmetrical or asymmetrical |
| Pile | Exceptionally lustrous, high-lanolin wool |
| Foundation | Wool on wool |
| Design | Hexagonal / diamond medallion with dense tribal field |
| Palette | Madder red, indigo, ivory, gold — warm and glowing |
| Format | Small to medium; Kashkuli = finest sub-group |
The wool-on-wool foundation and small format are not compromises — they are the essence of a portable, nomadic craft, and part of what makes a Qashqai instantly recognisable.
What sizes do Qashqai rugs come in?
| Category | Typical dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Scatter / small | 3' × 5' to 4' × 6' | Entryways, bedside, reading nooks, layering |
| Area (small) | 4' × 6' to 5' × 8' | Seating areas, studies, bedrooms |
| Area (medium) | 6' × 9' to 8' × 11' | Living and dining rooms |
| Runner | 2.5' × 8' and longer | Hallways, galley kitchens |
Qashqai rugs run small to medium by tradition — they were woven on portable tribal looms — so very large room-size Qashqai pieces are less common. Fringe is part of the foundation and is never counted in the stated dimensions. If you need a specific size, ask us what we hold in inventory beyond what's listed online.
How can you tell if a Qashqai is authentic and hand-knotted?
- Read the back. The pattern shows clearly on the reverse and individual knots are visible. A uniform, gridded, or glued back means machine-made.
- Check the foundation. A genuine Qashqai is wool-on-wool and feels supple and foldable — not stiff cotton or synthetic backing.
- Look for the lustre. Exceptionally glossy, high-lanolin wool gives the pile a soft sheen and makes the colors glow; dead-flat color suggests chemical dye or a print.
- Feel the wool. Hand-spun Qashqai wool feels soft, uneven and lanolin-rich; synthetic feels plasticky.
- Check the fringe. On an authentic rug the fringe is the warp — not a separate strip sewn or glued on.
- Accept small irregularities. A hand-drawn medallion or a slightly wandering row of birds is a human weaver's mark, not a defect.
Qashqai vs Gabbeh vs Baluch
| Qashqai | Gabbeh | Baluch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tradition | Persian tribal / nomadic | Persian tribal / nomadic | Tribal / nomadic |
| Origin | Fars highlands, Shiraz (Iran) | Fars highlands, Shiraz (Iran) | E. Iran & W. Afghanistan borderlands |
| Foundation | Wool on wool | Wool on wool | Wool on wool |
| Design | Dense medallion field — birds, boteh, comb | Bold, sparse, minimal — few large motifs | Intimate tribal — tree of life, boteh, prayer niche |
| Pile / wool | Fine-ish, exceptionally lustrous | Thick, long, chunky pile | Fine-ish, lustrous |
| Palette | Madder red, indigo, ivory, gold — glowing | Warm, often single bold ground color | Dark & glowing — red, aubergine, indigo, camel |
Qashqai and Gabbeh are woven by the same Fars tribes, so they are the two most cross-shopped: the split is density — the Qashqai is finely detailed and crowded, while the Gabbeh is bold, sparse and chunky. Against a Baluch, the Qashqai is brighter and more richly patterned, where the Baluch is darker and more intimate.
How to choose a Qashqai rug
- As an accent. A single lustrous Qashqai under a coffee table or beside a bed adds instant warmth, color and detail without needing to fill the whole floor.
- For a bohemian, collected look. Qashqai rugs mix beautifully with other tribal pieces, brass, leather and wood for a warm, layered, well-travelled interior.
- For character. The dense field of birds, animals and boteh rewards close looking, making a Qashqai a rug people notice and ask about.
- In small spaces. Entryways, studies, reading nooks and bedrooms suit the Qashqai's intimate scale far better than a large open floor.
Care & maintenance
- Vacuum weekly, gently — suction without a hard beater bar, in the direction of the pile. Never vacuum the fringe.
- Rotate every 6–12 months to even out sun fading and foot traffic.
- Use a rug pad to reduce slippage and cushion the knots against grit.
- Blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth, outside in. No harsh detergents or bleach.
- Keep out of constant direct sun — vegetable dyes are stable but not sun-proof.
- Deep-clean professionally with a wool hand-wash specialist. See our rug care guide.
Are Qashqai rugs a good investment? The Arteverk Value Ladder
Fine antique Qashqai rugs — especially finely woven Kashkuli pieces — are established collector items; modern hand-knotted Qashqai rugs are durable, characterful value rather than speculation. Exceptionally lustrous wool, natural dyes, a fine even weave, cleaner drawing, the Kashkuli sub-group and age push value up; wear, repairs and synthetic dyes push it down. Every rug we appraise is read against our six-rung Value Ladder — use it as your own checklist. For current pricing, see the Qashqai collection.
Hand-knotted Qashqai rugs in stock
Browse the full Qashqai collection for new arrivals.
Why buy your Qashqai rug from Arteverk?
- Real makers, real curators. Arteverk is run by the Malik family — third-generation weavers and curators who commission, curate, and restore hand-knotted rugs woven in origin workshops and tribal regions.
- The exact piece you see. Every hand-knotted Qashqai is photographed as the single, one-of-a-kind rug you'll receive — never a stand-in image.
- Honest labeling. Genuine Persian tribal Qashqai woven in Iran, stated plainly; any power-loomed piece is labeled power-loomed, never "hand-knotted."
Find your Qashqai rug
Browse our hand-knotted Qashqai rugs, or tell us your size and colors and we'll hand-pick a few one-of-a-kind pieces for you.
Frequently asked questions about Qashqai rugs
What is a Qashqai rug?
A Qashqai (or Kashkai) rug is a hand-knotted Persian tribal rug woven by the nomadic Qashqai confederacy of the Fars highlands around Shiraz in south-west Iran. It is known for exceptionally lustrous wool, one or more hexagonal or diamond medallions on a madder-red or indigo field, and a dense field of tiny tribal motifs — birds, animals, boteh and combs — all drawn from memory.
Who weaves Qashqai rugs?
Qashqai rugs are woven by the Qashqai, a large Turkic-speaking nomadic confederacy of south-west Iran who migrate with their flocks through the province of Fars, around Shiraz. Weaving is a household craft passed weaver to weaver, drawn from memory without a cartoon, which is why each Qashqai is personal and one of a kind.
Why is Qashqai wool special?
The Qashqai flocks graze the Fars highlands, and their fleece is prized across Iran as some of the finest and glossiest tribal wool — long, strong and high in lanolin. That gives the pile a soft sheen and makes the natural dyes glow rather than sit flat, so a good Qashqai holds its lustre for generations.
Are Qashqai rugs hand-knotted?
Authentic, traditional Qashqai rugs are hand-knotted wool, tied knot by knot on a wool foundation by tribal weavers on portable looms. At Arteverk, hand-knotted Qashqai rugs are the heart of the collection; any power-loomed Qashqai-design rug is clearly labeled power-loomed. The Construction field on each product page states which it is.
What is the difference between a Qashqai and a Gabbeh rug?
Both are woven by the same Fars tribes around Shiraz, but they differ sharply in density. A Qashqai is finely detailed and crowded — a medallion surrounded by birds, boteh and combs. A Gabbeh is bold, sparse and minimal, with a thick, long, chunky pile and just a few large motifs on an open ground.
How much do Qashqai rugs cost?
Modern hand-knotted Qashqai rugs vary by size, weave and wool quality, mostly in small to medium formats. Finely woven Kashkuli and antique pieces sit higher as collector items. For current pricing across what we hold, see the Qashqai collection.
What sizes do Qashqai rugs come in?
Qashqai rugs run small to medium because they were woven on portable tribal looms — scatters around 3' by 5' to 4' by 6', small to medium area rugs up to about 8' by 11', and occasional runners. Very large room-size Qashqai pieces are less common. Fringe is never counted in the stated dimensions.
How do I clean a Qashqai rug?
Vacuum weekly without a beater bar and avoid the fringe, rotate every 6 to 12 months, use a rug pad, and blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth. For deep cleaning, use a specialist who hand-washes wool rather than a general steam service, which protects the lustrous wool and natural dyes.
How can I tell if a Qashqai rug is authentic?
Read the back — the pattern and individual knots should show clearly, and a uniform or glued back means machine-made. Check the foundation, which on a genuine Qashqai is wool-on-wool and feels supple. Look for exceptionally lustrous wool with a soft glow, and accept small hand-drawn irregularities, which are a weaver's mark rather than a defect.
What colors are Qashqai rugs?
Qashqai rugs favour a warm, saturated, glowing palette: deep madder red and indigo blue for the field, lit up with ivory, gold and other natural tones across the densely patterned ground. The exceptionally lustrous wool makes even a dark field glow rather than sit flat.
