Qashqa'i (Safi Khani?) , mid 19th century (197 x 130 cm)

This lion of great power and splendor resembles a firmly established monarch. Very old, perhaps as much as a century, this rug is a masterpiece of its class. All of its parts share in its perfection: the pleasing quality of the colors with a wool as soft as velvet and the use of traditional designs of which many are meaningful have a share in the beauty of this lion. It would seem that this is one of the most original of the Lions of Fars from which many later lions were copied. (Back to article)

From "Lion Rugs; The Lion in Art and Culture of Iran" by Parviz Tanavoli (Trans Book, New York, 1985)