Object Description
Fine Sarouk Carpet, c. 1890
5.30 x 3.25 m
Antique Sarouk carpets are amongst the most luxurious decorative Persian room-size carpets. Their style, quality, and quiet formality have made them extremely popular in the West, particularly during the 19th century. They were created in the region of western Persia where Ziegler Sultanabad and Mahal carpets are made and are distinguished by their tight weaves and excellent-quality wool.
This 19th Century example, being an earlier piece, has a remarkably tight weave, in lustrous wool, that lends a crisp clarity to its drawing, with rich dyes and creative designs typical of the finest Sarouk carpets of its period. The layout of this particular example has a rare composition, unusually open and balanced for a piece of its age and type, with a real sense of space, relative to the traditional, more crowded, central medallion design. The warm colour field works to compliment the array of vegetable dyed tones in the drawing, flanked by a wide, soft blue border.
Retained in very good condition for everyday use, with its borders preserved on all sides – its colours have taken on a charming age-related patina.
An elegant carpet, to suit a wide variety of settings.