Description
This bread sofreh is a beautiful and evocative example of nomadic textile tradition—an object created not for decoration, but for daily life, ritual, and survival.
Woven specifically for kneading dough and preparing flat-bread, sofrehs were essential household textiles among Persian nomads. Spread directly on the ground, they provided a clean, durable surface for bread-making, a practice at the very heart of family life. Today, these pieces are deeply appreciated for their honest simplicity, tactile beauty, and the extraordinary natural colours achieved through traditional dyeing.
This particular sofreh was handwoven from 100% wool in the early 20th century by Afshar nomads of Kerman province, southern Persia. The Afshar were renowned for their confident, graphic language and practical weaving, producing textiles that were both functional and expressive. The rich aubergine and plum field is framed by striking vertical zig-zag motifs, symbolising flowing water—a powerful and recurring symbol in nomadic art. Like bread itself, water represents sustenance, survival, and continuity in the harsh landscapes these communities inhabited.
Free from elaborate ornamentation, the design speaks through balance, rhythm, and colour harmony. The subtle abrash (natural variation in wool tones) gives the surface depth and movement, reinforcing its handmade character and authenticity as a woven work of nomadic art.
Today, antique bread sofrehs are increasingly scarce in Iran, having been used until worn away or lost to time. Surviving examples such as this are now highly sought after—not only by collectors, but also by interior designers—as striking wall art or statement textiles that bring history, symbolism, and quiet sophistication into contemporary spaces.
If you would like to see this sofreh in person and appreciate its texture and colours firsthand, you are most welcome to visit our CARPET INN showroom in Ampang, or contact us via WhatsApp for further details and availability.
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