Object Description
Exceptional Early Sarouk Carpet
3.56 x 2.62 m
Antique Sarouk carpets are amongst the most widely sought after decorative Persian room-size carpets. Their style, quality, and quiet formality have made them extremely popular in the West, particularly during the 19th century. These carpets originate in same the region of western Persia as Ziegler Sultanabad and Mahal carpets, and are distinguished by their tight weaves and excellent-quality wool.
This exquisite 19th Century Sarouk carpet, being an earlier piece, boasts a high-grade weave – lending a crisp clarity to its drawing – and creative use of vegetable-dyed colours, including a soft ivory in the spandrels, warm terracotta in the central medallion, cornflower blues and various light greens in the accents, and a wonderful taupe grey in the border; all with a delicate abrash – or, subtle variation in tone – which lends the work a feeling of depth and character. The combination of the subdued yet diverse palette and elegantly worked design makes this one of those rare carpets that really grows on you the more you spend time with it.
Retained in very good practical condition for everyday use, although the outer border on one end has been lost with age – the organic dyes have taken on a charming, muted patina.
A truly beautiful carpet, to suit a sophisticated interior.