Rare Antique Serapi carpet

Object Description

An early and exceptional antique Serapi carpet from the mid to late 19th century.  Bold and vivid geometric designs on a off white background, the natural wool colour famous for early examples of these fine Heriz weavings.  An early scrolling serpent border on a rich brick red background, this border design is seen on weavings from the 18th century and earlier.  The minor ivory borders are beautiful frame work to the main border too.

We can see in the pale blue inside border cartouches – Persian writing, which we believe to be poetry from the famous Persian poet Hafez.  He loved to write poetry about love and wine, and in this poem we have translated part of the poem to read “Where are the three barrels of wine?”.  We have struggled to decipher lots of it, so any additional help would be most welcome.  Poetry in cartouches is rare to find in Heriz weavings, and highlights the rarity and importance of this carpet.  The dyes and balance of the medallion and bold corner spandrel designs show the weavers were commissioned to produce a carpet of superior quality.

Contact us to arrange a viewing, we would love to show you this carpet at home or in our showroom soon.

Object Literature

Like Heriz, Serapi carpets have a multiple concentric medallion format that emits jutting branches or vines ending in large stylised 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

Object Condition

This carpet has been in an important private collection for over 20 years and is fresh to the market.  A unique opportunity to purchase a Serapi carpet of this quality and in outstanding condition.  A very fine weave and excellent wool pile on this carpet too.

Object Details