Afshar

This book is a study of the textiles of the Afshar people, a Turkic-speaking tribal group who historically settled across Kerman province in southeast Iran. Afshar weavings are recognised for their originality and richness, blending Persian and Caucasian influences in bold geometric and floral designs, worked in deep blues, rusts and warm golden tones.

Drawing on decades of research and examples from major private collections, including the celebrated John Corwin Collection, Parviz Tanavoli documents the pile rugs, flatweaves and bags produced by Afshar weavers. Tanavoli explores their distinctive designs, whilst also situating these textiles within the wider social and cultural fabric of tribal Iran. Parallel text in English and Farsi.