Persian Heriz MA97162 442 x 344cm

Description

Made in the town of Heriz in north-west Persia and several outlying villages stretching to Tabriz. Despite this proximity to Tabriz, Heriz rugs possess an appearance and character that is unmistakably theirs. The dominant composition is based on a huge angular central medallion set against a field of geometrically stylised floral forms within a framework of echoing and inwardly decorated corners. This body heraldic scheme is usually in strong or slightly muted shades of brick red, burnt orange and occasionally deep blues, with ivory, yellow ochre and paler reds and blues providing the secondary hues. At its best, it is one of the most distinctive and powerful Persian decorative schemes.

This design is most closely associated with the town itself, which also produces equally heraldic all-over floral schemes with a number of slight variations being produced in the surrounding villages. The most frequently encountered of these are from Mehriban, which often employs the same floral decorations in al allover format and Ahar, which is a village noted for its well-made, tightly woven rugs in slightly curvilinear medallion and corner designs. The knot count of Heriz rugs is not particularly high, but they are compact and durable with good quality wool clipped low-medium to medium. Heriz are generally regarded as the best of the more coarsely woven Persian rugs. The finest examples are made in Heriz (and Ahar that is only slightly inferior), though very reasonable items are produced in Mehriban.

Heriz rugs are produced in several sizes, including carpets, but small rugs are rare. Indian weavers now make copies of Heriz designs (sometimes employing the typical Heriz medallion on an open field), but with a few notable exceptions. Indian Heriz rugs are rather crude imitations of the originals.

Because of their durability and reasonable price, the better quality Heriz rugs, particularly those made in the town itself and, to a lesser degree, those from Ahar, are excellent purchases. The scarcity of authentic Persian village and tribal items makes true Heriz rugs increasingly more collectable.