Object Description
The term ‘Serapi’ refers to a sought-after subgroup of Heriz carpets, handwoven in Northwest Persia. These pieces are celebrated for their superior-quality weaves and more restrained, elegant designs. Valued for their charming naivety, fine craftsmanship, and rich vegetable-dyed colours. Their bold tribal motifs have a unique visual appeal, allowing them to bridge both traditional and contemporary interior styles.
This outstanding example, dating to circa 1870, features an exceptionally fine weave, high-quality hand-spun wool, and a broad range of earthy vegetable dyes, which together provide a crisp precision to the drawing and a subtlety to the colours. Its palette includes soft tones of tan, cornflower blue, terracotta and ivory, employed in an expressive, grand-scale graphic drawing. Perhaps its most attractive feature is its wide border, with decorative motifs creatively repeated in a wide variety of colours against a wonderful muted aubergine grey ground.
Retained in very good practical condition for everyday use, this 19th-century Serapi carpet has undergone some minor age-related restoration, carried out to an excellent standard. Its organic dyes have developed a fine, mellow patina over time.
A sophisticated piece with a tribal charm and character, offering both rarity and decorative versatility – one of the most striking examples of its kind to have entered our collection in recent years.