Antique Persian Koliai Rug 43″x79″ D0910

D0263: Vintage Zanjan Northwest Persian, Azeri, Qajar tribe Influence Dim: 68"x 86" Summary: Zanjan is a very old city. Archeological eviidence shows active salt mining in the area. Salt was an important trade commodity and was traded on the so-called "Silk Route" of which Zanjan was an important stop. Remarks: In the Persian era, prior to the Russian invasion and conquest of the Caucasus, the Qajar tribe were both rulers and the dominant Persian tribe of the Caucasus. Following the Russian victory in the Caucasus in 1806 to 1828, the Shia Azeris of the Qajar tribe had to withdraw and  whole villages were transplanted into the Tabriz area, Zanjan, Qazvin, and Hamadan region. They brought their rug design and weaving techniques with them and for that reason, you see many Caucasus type elements in these rugs as well as elements of their new homeland.  As a result, many of the newer ones share similarity to the older ones, but also reflect the designs of the regions they relocated to.  Today,  Zanjan Province is populated primarily by Azeri Persians who are the descendents of the primarily Shia Azeris who withdrew from the Caucasus following the Russian conquest.