Object Description
A really stunning and striking vivid antique Serapi carpet woven in the late 19th century with rich brilliant dyes from the golden era of Persian weaving. The deep intense reds combined with the dark greens and the pale green in the centre make this Serapi carpet one of the most exciting palettes. The condition for this 140 year old carpet is in extremely good original order with only minimal scattered areas of low pile. The fringes/ends have had some preservation at both ends with minimal reweaving. The bold geometric yet classical design is full of character and the simplistic open border design is often seen on earlier Serapi’s. A wonderful example of tribal weaving at its best a rare and stunning carpet.
Antique Serapi carpets are more intricate finer tribal weavings of the Heriz region hand-woven by Azerbaijan Turkish inhabitants close to the city of Heriz in North-West Persia. They are famous among collectors because of their vivid vegetable dyes or soft earth tones that are woven on a geometric pattern. In terms of design, drawing, and coloration as well, Serapi carpets are clearly part of one and the same tradition as Heriz, despite being a distinct antique rug style, which originated as a Northwest Persian adaptation of early Sarouk Farahan medallion, but with a more geometric, abstract, village sensibility.
Like Heriz, Serapi carpets have a multiple concentric medallion format that emits jutting branches or vines ending in large stylized palmettes, leaves, or flowers, with framing cornerpieces at the periphery of the field. The main border is usually some variant of the ‘turtle’ vinescroll pattern. In terms of design, what distinguishes Serapis from Heriz carpets is once again their more refined approach. The articulation of the medallions is crisper, more finely linear, and open, the highest grade in terms of weave, and very probably the oldest type in terms of age. Heriz carpets are generally coarsely woven with as few as 30 knots per square inch. They also have a deeply depressed warp structure with a markedly ribbed back surface. Since the early twentieth century they have come to make use of light blue cotton wefting. Serapis, in contrast, have a higher knot count, sometimes attaining 80 knots per square inch. Their backs are relatively flat, and they have ivory cotton wefting. Generally they have a softer floppier handle than Herizes, and they are thinner
On the whole, it appears that what we call Serapi carpets are simply the oldest, most well-designed, and finely woven Heriz carpets with softer colours than the 1900-1930 pieces.
We offer the service of viewing any of our carpets & rugs in-situ in London, Surrey, Hampshire the UK & Europe by appointment. Please request a home visit if you would like to arrange a time for us to show you this exceptional rare antique Serapi in situ.