Object Description
A rare and exceptional pair of antique runners from the north-west or Persia, woven around 1880-1890 they are in fantastic pile all over. The runners even have their original kilim fringe ends intact which is quite remarkable, as these often get worn down over 100 years. From a beautiful private estate they have been used but well looked after. One measures 386 x 98 cm and the other slightly shorter at 368 x 102 cm.
We have studied the runners extremely closely and although we know they are of North West Persian origin, this type is impossible to name to particular tribe or village, they use several attributes from the Caucasus (the colours in particular) along with bold motifs similar to Persian decorative carpets such as Ziegler and Sultanabad. The one thing we can be sure is that the weave is of North Persian origin going into Azerbaijan, this paragraph below is from a reputable carpet publication, it helps clarify the sometimes difficult task of specifying an exact weaving area.
“The pile carpets and decorative Kilim’s produced in Persia’s northern most province bear striking similarities between some Caucasian rugs and those produced in modern-day Azerbaijan. One common thread between the carpets of the Caucasus and those produced in the western Persian province of Azarbayjan-e-Gharbi and the informal area of Iranian Kurdistan is the presence of multi-ethnic weavers. Elegant Northwest Persian rugs are typically attributed to parts of Iranian Kurdistan and Azarbayjan-e-Gharbi. They feature rectilinear patterns, grand lozenges, dramatic harshang palmettes and large-scale arabesques that bear some similarity to the sophisticated carpets produced in Sultanabad and the cities along Persia’s western frontier.”
We offer the professional service of viewing any of our carpets & rugs in-situ by appointment or you are very welcome to visit our barn showroom in Crondall, Surrey. Request a home visit to see this exceptional rare pair of antique runners at home at a convenient time for you.