Hand Knotted Pile Carpet (detail)

The history of the

Ersari people in Afghanistan is shrouded in conflicting stories. This much is known: sometime in the early 16th century, Ersari rebels killed a bunch of tax collectors sent by the great Sofiya Khan. Unlike their American counterparts a couple of centuries later, they did not prevail. The Khan made the group pay tribute with 40,000 sheep, so prized was their wool. Toward the end of the 18th century, the group had migrated to northern Afghanistan, seeking refuge for themselves and their herds. By this time, their wool was considered a valuable commodity, especially when it was mixed with dyes like madder root, indigo and pomegranate. Finally, as time marched on, the carpets they produced from their wool began to attract worldwide fame for their exceptional quality and design.

Pile Carpet, Ersari People

Featured is an Ersari carpet with their most famous motif, known as the “elephant’s foot” or Gul design. The Gul is an eight sided shield or medallion placed in repetitive rows, and there are many styles of Gul. No one is quite sure what any one means. Some think they are ornaments representing tribal affiliations lost over time. Others think they are stylized flowers; and there are those who say they are both. However, regardless of what they mean, their appearance on this carpet is a sure indicator it will qualify as a prized possession in any sophisticated household.

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