Heriz Carpet
Persia, last quarter 19th century
412 x 301 cm (13' 6" x 9' 11")
Condition: good, pile low in places, both ends restored (ca. 2 cm), selvedges rebound
Warp: cotton, weft: cotton, pile: wool

The central medallion with four partial corner medallions derives from a book-binding design that originated in the court workshops of the Ottoman and Safavid courts, appearing from the 15th century onwards. It has been used on a carpets and textiles ever since.
The large carpets made in the northwest Persian towns around Heriz in the second half of the 19th century give this design a fresh vocabulary and bold new expression.
The precision and curvilinear quality of the original concept is replaced by a village-workshop vitality of primary colour juxtapositions and geometric pattern elements. While many of the region's carpets reflect this broad thematic composition, the best examples distinguish themselves through the balance and proportions of the design and the use of colour.
In this example the abrashed madder ground is not overly filled with elements; the expansiveness of the field design and elegant use of white are framed by a border of lesser scale and colour contrast. The loose weave, small-batch dyed wool and slight variations in the design emphasise the carpet's hand-made nature and village origin.