The Qashqaei and Khamseh Tribes
Like the Afshari, the Qashqaei, a nomadic tribe living in the Fars area, have a Turkic ancestry. They are thought to have migrated into the area in the 16th century from Azerbaijan, and their Turkish dialect is most strongly related to that of the tribes inhabiting that region. Adjacent to the Qashqaei, in the eastern Fars area, are the tribes of the Khamseh federation, who are believed to have entered the area from the 13th century onwards. The carpets of the Qashqaei are the best known and, in general, the most beautiful of the area and the history of the tribes is reflected in the resemblance of the carpet patterns to those of north-west Persia and the south-east Caucasus. The principle Qashqaei tribes are the Basseri, the Amaleh, Shesh Boluki, Qashqaei and Farsi Madan; however, by no means all the different Qashqaei carpet designs can, as yet, be attributed to the individual tribes. Even less is known about the patterns woven by the individual tribes of the Khamseh federation which include the Basseri, the Ainalu, the Baharlu, and the Nafar. Of these, the Basseri are Farsi speaking and entered Fars from Khorasan. Rugs are also woven by Arab tribes in the area.

However, by no means all the carpets produced in this region are woven by nomads; many are woven by settled people in villages and in workshops mainly situated around Shiraz, the capital of Fars.

Sizes: most of the rugs made by the nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes are small, e.g. 1.50 x 2.20 m (5 ft. x 7 ft. 3 in.), although carpets of larger size, e.g. up to 3 m (10 ft.) in length and more are also known and some are of outstanding quality. The production also includes many different sizes of bags, the best known of which are the double saddle-bags (khorjin).

Colors: As a general rule, Qashqaei carpets possess clear and vibrant colors which, until the 1940s, were produced predominantly with natural dyes. Synthetic dyes, often of inferior quality, have been widely adopted since the Second World War. In general, carpets of the Khamseh tribes are woven in more subdued colors.

Patterns: Fars area carpets have a large design repertoire which includes a variety of floral repeat patterns as well as medallion compositions. Geometricised animal and bird drawings are also a common feature and are used both as part of the repeat patterns or as filler ornaments. Borders, particularly of Qashqaei rugs, include many highly developed floral designs. As in many other nomad rugs, multiple borders are a sign of later weavings.

As well as the many floral and geometric field patterns, the production of the Qashqaei also includes pictorial rugs, gabehs - coarsely woven long pile rugs typically with large diamond designs - and lion rugs', equally coarsely woven and with a multi-weft structure, decorated with large semi-naturalistic drawings of lions.

Foundations: warps of Fars area rugs are of wool in natural ivory and brown shades. The majority of rugs are wool wafted, although a minority of fine Qashqaei rugs have silk or mixed silk and wool wefts and a few are known with camel hair wefts.

Knots: The great majority of Qashqaei pieces are knotted with a Persian knot, open to the left. Weavers of the Khamseh tribes appear to have favored the Turkish knot. Knot counts of Fars area rugs generally vary between 1,000-3,000 knots per sq. dm (65-190 per sq. in.), with Qashqaei rugs generally at the higher end of this range. Some very fine Qashqaei pieces have up to 5,000 knots per sq. dm (320 per sq. in.) or more.

Pile: The pile of almost all Fars area rugs is of wool, the highest quality usually being found in Qashqaei examples. A few camel hair rugs are known.

Quality: These nomad carpets are among the best that come onto the market; honestly made, well drawn and woven in joyous colors without appearing brash. Old and antique Qashqaei rugs are sought after as collectors' pieces. The Qashquli examples are among the best.

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