Object Description
A very fine and interesting antique Malayer rug in exceptional pile and original condition. Being in full wool pile all over, this type of finer town rug often had a lower cut pile as the wool has been cut very flat. The handle of this rug is lovely too with good quality soft wool and great early dyes such as the saffron yellow in the corner spandrel designs. Muted pale greens also can be seen throughout the delightful ‘Mina-Khani’ floral design in the main field. The ivory border is typical of Malayer rugs and frames the rug beautifully. The Mina-Khani pattern consists of flowers arranged in a rows, interlinked by diamond (often curved) or circular lines all over the main field. The Mina-Khani design is often seen on Veramin rugs as well as Malayer rugs such as this too.
We can also see some interesting ‘Boteh’ motifs in the soft yellow corner designs too, this rug has been woven by a weaver who clearly has drawn influences from Kurdish weavings too. Making it a really collectable and fascinating rug in remarkable condition. Woven around 1880-1890 we can see some chemical red and orange dye which often was used in this weaving area. It does not detract from the beauty and overall palette of the rug.
Malayer is a large village located between the major weaving areas of Hamadan and Sarouk in Northwest Persia. In Malayer and the small villages surrounding it, production was almost exclusively small antique rugs and runners made by individual weavers in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
We source beautiful antique carpets, rugs and runners from all over the world for customers and interior designers. Visit our barn showroom in Crondall, Surrey an hours drive from London to view this antique rug close up or please do ask us to visit you. We love travelling all over the UK showing carpets, rugs and runners in situ so please request a home visit or email us.