Antique Persian Heriz Rug

Persian Heriz rugs and carpets are highly distinctive, defined by their very unique and distinguishable style of designs. This includes the extraordinary contrast in the technical specifications as seen in their highly decorative wool pile rugs and carpets compared with their exceptionally fine decorative silk rugs and carpets made from the mid-19th Century.

Heriz is a city located in North West Persia, which is near the city of Tabriz. Tabriz is one of the most historically important rug weaving centres in Persia with a weaving tradition, certainly dating back to the early 16th Century. The close proximity of Tabriz to the Heriz weaving ‘area’ would be bound to influence the masterful and talented weavers of Persian Heriz rugs and carpets, and this was certainly the case in the making of their exceptionally fine silk rugs.  Most often, Persian Heriz rugs and carpets have oversized geometric medallions that are crisply delineated against a rich red, rust or dark blue field, and sometimes ivory back grounds are seen. The pattern is almost always geometric, although some Heriz rugs have an all-over layout often with geometric floral motives combined with curvilinear floral forms. Since the Heriz region is not too far from the Caucasus, many Persian Heriz carpets display similar colours and motif drawings to traditional tribal Caucasian rugs. Whereas older Persian Heriz decorative carpets are relatively plentiful, Persian Heriz silk rugs are considerably rarer by comparison.

This remarkably fine Persian Heriz silk rug displays an intricate and ornate design based on 17th century classical models with characteristic central medallion format and symmetrical on both the horizontal and vertical axis. The scrolling arabesques are beautifully drawn and create a real sense movement throughout the rug particularly enhanced by the multilayers of these arabesques. The colours are chosen from a traditional Heriz silk rug palette, which in respect of their silk rugs tend to display a limited range of colours, made up of blue shades, terracotta or copper tones, ivory and beige.  In this instance this limited range of colours none the less are used to superlative artistic effect. The result is an ornate, highly sophisticated and decorative end product. The technical fineness indicates that this Persian Heriz rug was made by expert, experienced weavers and the character of this rug is in tune with the very best of Persian Heriz workmanship. This Persian Heriz rug is clearly a fine example of type and origin displaying highly sophisticated rendition reminiscent of fine early 17th century hand woven Persian artistry.

Antique Persian Heriz Rug. This piece was handwoven in Heriz , Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.