Vintage Pictorial Gabbeh Rug | Hand-Knotted Wool Folk Art Scene

This one is a true story-rug — a charming pastoral tableau woven in a bold, naïve folk style. Across an ivory ground you can see a palm grove with village dwellings, birds in flight, grazing animals (goats/sheep and a darker pack animal), and human figures in simple, expressive form. The design feels intentionally “self-made” and narrative rather than geometric, which is exactly what collectors look for in gabbeh/loribaft-inspired pictorial pieces.

From the close-ups, this is hand-knotted wool pile (not flatweave): you can see the raised, pebbly pile surface and the chunky, organic yarn character, plus cotton fringe at the ends (warp extensions). The wool includes lots of natural heathering and small flecks, giving it that authentic, rustic texture. There’s no heavy border system here — the open field composition lets the scene breathe, making it perfect for boho, cottage, Scandinavian-minimal, and eclectic interiors that want one statement textile with real character.

Visual Analysis & Authentication (from photos)

Weaving tradition: Gabbeh / loribaft-inspired nomadic pictorial weaving tradition (Southwest/Central Asia aesthetic; tribal folk narrative style).

Knot structure: Not fully verifiable from these photos (no clear back/knot close-up). Based on this tradition, it is most commonly asymmetrical (Senneh-type), but I will not claim “exact” without a reverse-side shot.

Regional origin (visual): Strong Zagros nomadic / Qashqai–Luri aesthetic (pictorial village scenes, simple figures, palm/oasis imagery, earthy palette).

Age period (visual): Looks late 20th century to early 21st century (good structural integrity, bright accents, minimal deep wear; light waviness consistent with handmade storage/use).

Maker’s marks/signatures: None visible.

Pile height & density: Low-to-medium pile with a chunky handle; visually coarse-to-medium knotting (rug reads “textural” rather than fine/detail).

Materials: Wool pile (heathered/undyed look in areas) with cotton foundation/fringe. Dyes appear hand-dyed; exact dye type can’t be lab-confirmed from photos, but the palette suggests a mix of natural-looking earth tones with stronger accents.

Pattern & Cultural Reading (what the motifs communicate)

Motifs present: Palm trees (oasis/life), village houses (home/shelter), birds (movement/messages), goats/sheep (livelihood/abundance), human figures (community), and a darker animal (work/transport).

Naqsha / layout logic: A narrative landscape band — repeated palms create rhythm; figures/animals anchor the foreground; homes create “place.”

Border relationship: Borderless/open field approach (very typical in story-gabbeh aesthetics), so the “frame” is created by the repeating palm canopy and the ground band.

Regional signatures: Naïve figuration, earthy greens/browns/ivory, and story-telling composition point strongly to tribal village-scene weaving.

Religious/protective symbols: No explicit amulets/inscriptions visible; the protective aspect here is more symbolic (home, herd, oasis).

Features:

Size: 135 x 68 cm (approx. 4’5” x 2’3”)

Construction: Hand-knotted pile

Materials: Wool pile with cotton foundation & fringe

Design: Pictorial village scene with palms, animals, birds, and figures

Palette: Ivory ground, sage/olive greens, browns, charcoal, warm ochre, and red accents

Texture: Rich, rustic wool character with natural heathering and visible artisan variation

Condition: Good vintage condition with minor natural waviness consistent with handmade textiles

Knots per square inch: Not countable precisely from provided photos; visually consistent with a coarser gabbeh-style density (approximately 25–45 KPSI range).

Construction: Hand-knotted wool pile on a cotton foundation, finished with short cotton fringe.

Time investment: Even at a coarser knot count, a pictorial rug of this size typically represents weeks of work (design + dye + knotting).

Condition (honest): Overall good vintage condition. You can see gentle waviness/soft edge ripple (common in handwoven pieces), light surface texture variation from natural wool character, and no obvious major repairs visible in these photos.

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Care Instructions

Use a rug pad to reduce slip and wear. Vacuum gently on low (avoid beater bars). Blot spills immediately with a clean cloth; spot clean with cold water and a wool-safe detergent. Avoid soaking and avoid direct harsh sunlight for long periods. For deep cleaning, choose a professional who specializes in wool rugs.

If you want a small rug that feels like a woven painting — warm, human, and full of story — this piece does that instantly. It’s the kind of textile people notice the moment they walk into the room, and it layers beautifully with modern neutral décor.