Late 19th Century Afshan Carpet with Paisley Motifs

• Victorian Period - The Victorian period of furniture and decorative arts design covers the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. There was not one dominant style of furniture in the Victorian period. Designers used and modified many historical styles such as Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and others, although use of some styles, such as English Rococo and Gothic tended to dominate the furniture manufacture of the period.
  
  The Victorian period was preceded by the Regency and William IV periods, and followed by the Edwardian period, named for Edward VII (1841 ? 1910) who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India for the brief period from 1901 until his death in 1910.
• Paisley Pattern - The Paisley motif is a decorative design element that originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and became popular in the West during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is characterized by a teardrop-shaped or leaf-like design with a curved upper end and a tapered, pointed lower end.
  
  In rugs and textiles, the Paisley motif is often used as a repeating pattern or border, and is typically woven or printed in contrasting colours to create a bold and vibrant look. The motif can vary in size and complexity, from small and simple designs to larger, more intricate patterns.
  
  In the 18th and 19th centuries, shawls woven with Paisley motifs were highly prized luxury items, and were exported from Persia and India to Europe and America. The motif also became popular in the design of carpets, upholstery fabrics, and clothing.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Afshan, East Caucasus - rugs and carpets 1