Vintage Persian Heriz Rug

Origin: Heriz district of East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, likely the town of Gorevan.

Age: 1970's, about 50 years old.

Design: Heriz rugs are some of the most popular of all Persian rugs. They take the typical large scale and floral designs of city rugs and reimagine them in a very geometric manner, inspired by designs of the nearby Caucasus region. A large central medallion dominates most of the field and is surrounded by floral corner spandrels. The center medallion features an elaborate star, and scarab-like motifs on the vertical axis. The remaining areas of ivory field are filled with blooming flowers, leaves, and other abstract natural motifs. The main border features geometric palmettes flanked by serrated boteh (seed of life), and many blossoms, with secondary borders of flowers.

Colors: Very vibrant and saturated colors. Deep red, midnight indigo, light blue, purpleish blue, pink, burnt brown-red, yellow, gold, ivory. The dyes are modern materials but still have a nice variety of shades from many different dye lots of wool (called abrash.)

Foundation: Cotton warp and single cotton weft.

Pile: Densely knotted wool pile, sheared somewhat low.

Size: 8 feet by 10 feet.

Knotting: Symmetrical

Condition: Very good condition with the original sides and ends fully intact, very thick long pile, and minimal areas of wear.