Afshar Bijar Persian RugDimensions | 4'5" × 6'11"Origin | IranType | Hand-Knotted / Double-WeftedPile Material | WoolFoundation Material | CottonCondition | Excellent - Soft, thick and even wool pile. Excellent fringe on the ends and selvedge on the sides.About Afshars | Afshar refers to the name of a tribal people, of Turkoman descent, living in various areas of Iran, and with histories of carpet and rug manufacture. Some Afshars live in northwest Iran, and the Caucasus. The largest group reside in a large area, west of Kerman, in south central Iran. Before the 17th century, most Afshars lived in the northwest of Iran. During the 17th century, and after, a number of Persian rulers deported Afshars to other areas, as a response to their increasing power and “rebelliousness”. Many of them were sent to the desert region between Kerman to the east, and Shiraz to the west. Many also remained in the northwest, and have had a strong influence in both the Caucasus and in Turkey, in terms of the rug-weaving industries.
The Kerman area Afshars reside in predominantly two densely populated areas around the markets of Shahr Babak and Sirjand. Afshars are known for a number of shared rug features. They are represented by well over a hundred different designs. Afshar peoples also have connections to other peoples in the region, including Arab, Luri, as well as the Kurds of Bijar. Afshar rugs contain many boteh variations, as well as animals, birds, humans figures, a variety of tree motifs, and vase designs. 
Shahr Babak is the market town the finest, best made, and most popular Afshars. Shahr Babak lies about 65 miles northwest of Sirjand, and a like distance from Rafsinjan, to the east. Shahr Babaks use the diamond medallion, and sometimes even triple diamond medallions. Often Afshar imbed medallions within medallions, in a very balanced fashion that makes discerning the difference between centerpiece and frame difficult. The Shahr Babak are known for their connections to the Luri tribal peoples, and many features are reminiscent of the Zagros Luri rugs sold as Behbehans. Typical Shahr Babak rugs are made with cottons warps & wefts, with a very fine weave, usually 130+ knots per square inch. They are also clipped short, have a soft pile, are a rich brownish-red with a broad palette of many colors – used sparingly. They have a very distinctive medallion, with botehs and zigzag outlines. Shahr Babak rugs occur only in rug sizes, but with considerable variation. Shahr Babaks are fairly high priced, have a tight weave, a flexible handle, and an elegant appearance. 
Sirjand lies south of Shahr Babak, and while sharing many Afshar features, also has notable differences. Shahr Babaks are fine and softly colored; Sirjands are coarse and brightly colored. They utilize the characteristic repeating medallions, often nested within other medallions, and they use a “latch-hook” bordered diamond. Simple geometric motifs, including stars and rosettes, as well as the herati pattern, are used. Light red is frequently used, with dark or medium blue, plus white. Construction is rough, with a ridged back, a robust but coarse feel, and with cotton warps & pink cotton wefts. Sirjand rugs typically are zaronim and dozar-sized. 
Afshars are also associated with the Bijars, of western Iran. Bijar rugs are usually associated with Kurdish weavers, but Afshars, living a little north and northwest of Bijar (Tekkentepe & Tekab), produce a very similar product. They are a part of the Kurdish Bijar tradition, but their rugs appear more flowery, utilizing floral medallions. Afshar Bijars often pass as true Bijars, but frequently feel and look a little different. But, overall they are well-made, and a value for the somewhat lower price than Kurdish Bijars. The Afshar peoples of this region have very little connection to the Afshar peoples of the Kerman area, after 300 to 400 years of separation from each other. 
In summary, the Afshar rug-weaving tradition, are descendants of the Turkoman – a traditionally nomadic Turkish-speaking tribal peoples, likely migrating to Iran as part of the Mongol reach into Iran in the 12th to 13th centuries. Afshars have impacted a number of rug-producing industries in western Asia, including the Caucasus and Turkey, the Kurdish Bijars in western Iran, and the Afshar peoples living in the Kerman region, in south central Iran, specifically around the rug-marketing centers of Shahr Babak and Sirjand. They are responsible for a broad array of designs, both in the west and northwest, as well as east of Kerman. Afshar weavers remain a vital force in the rug markets of Iran, as a result of their variety, often very fine weave & construction, and their beauty.