Image Carpets

Antique Serapi Silk Rug – 290106

Heriz Rug N.W Persia with silk weft

This is an unusual rug of high of quality from the Heriz weaving area. The horizontally oriented stepped ogival red medallion is decorated with colorful leaves, and centers a light blue pointed cruciform device constructed from black split arabesques. The surrounding midnight blue field is defined by ivory corners edged in polychrome stripes. The corners are filled with an open scatter of leaves, flowers &small devices.

The dark blue main border alternates palmettes in various styles with square sprays of blossoms. This border descends from those on 17th century Kerman “vase” weave carpets.

The warp is very fine ivory silk, a feature virtually unknown on wool on Heriz rugs(289 knots per square inch). The square format is also unusual. It is likely that the rug was a special commission from an important local person. There are no other Heriz rugs of this period that are comparable in design, weave or color combination.