Old Kerman Lavar | 484 x 350 cm | Nr. 10625

Floral old Kerman Lavar, light red with border and medallion

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	484 cm x 350 cm (= 16.94 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	360.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1940
Colour	Light red
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

The city of Kerman (also Kirman) lies in the south-east of Persia at around 2,000 metres above sea level. Kerman sits on the old caravan routes and looks back on centuries of tradition in both craft and trade. Kerman is mentioned in Marco Polo's travel account Il Milione. Rugs from Kerman are marked by fine patterns, flowing lines and soft gradations of colour. The classic patterns of the 19th century are often figurative. Hunting scenes and animals were depicted, as were mythological figures and historical personalities. The broad palette of Kerman rugs is enriched above all by its many shades of red, traditionally obtained from the cochineal insect.

This rug comes from the village of Levar near Kerman, yet it shows the pattern typical of Kerman rugs. This old Kerman Lavar is around 80 years old and a real collector's piece. This rug has a very special, illustrious history. None other than Paul McCartney has played on this beautiful, huge rug several times at charity concerts in Düsseldorf in aid of good causes.

Pattern

The decorated surround (border) forms a wonderful contrast to the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

At the heart of this Kerman Lavar's central field lies the symmetrical centrepiece, also known as the medallion. The design of the field takes its lead from the medallion, giving the impression that the medallion is floating on the field.

The lavish floral motifs of this Kerman Lavar are elegant and full of variety. The graceful plant symbols, depicting blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

The background of this Kerman Lavar is light red. The border is worked in dark blue and beige. In the blue-grey centre, light red and beige are combined.

Condition

This Kerman Lavar has had admirers before you. It was hand-knotted around 1940 and has given faithful service ever since. Its eventful history has left traces over the years. Apart from a few stains and some more heavily worn areas in the pile, the rug is otherwise in good general condition. All in all it is still in good condition and can bring pleasure for decades to come. We have not restored this Kerman Lavar, because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If you would like us to, we will of course be happy to restore the rug for you.

Material

The pile of this Kerman Lavar was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. It is a renewable, natural raw material with a range of impressive properties: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is therefore naturally protected against dirt. Wool also provides excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Kerman Lavar are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.