Old Re-Import Sarough | 360 x 267 cm | Nr. 17110

Floral old Re-Import Sarough, rust red with border and medallion

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	360 cm x 267 cm (= 9.61 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	250.000
Pile height	6mm
Year of manufacture	1920
Colour	Rust red, Orange
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

 

Origin

This rug comes from Sarough (also spelled Sarouk, Saruk or Sarogh). Sarough is one of the best-known rug-knotting regions in Iran. Located in the western Persian province of Aarak, it takes in the provenances Arak, Djozan, Ghiasabad, Mahal, Malayer, Mohajeran, Sultanabad and Wiss. Persian patterns of every kind are knotted in Sarough, in some cases to the buyer's own specifications. Weavers there are especially fond of the neighbouring Farahan designs, of their own Sultanabad patterns and of the so-called Mir-i-Boteh pattern made up of paisley motifs. Typical of this type of rug is the very good wool quality of the pile, as the new wool comes from the Persian highlands. The foundation – warp and weft – is, however, usually made of cotton. In old and antique rugs you will often find a blue weft thread. The knotting is very fine and the pile relatively high.

Especially sought after by collectors are the old and antique rugs of the Mahal and Malayer types that were knotted in Sarough between 1880 and 1930.

A special chapter in Iranian rug knotting is written by the so-called American Sarouks, which were knotted between 1900 and 1940 specifically for the American market. The colours of the American Sarouks are pared down to rust, red, blue and a few brown and beige tones, and they carry a floral pattern that usually does without a central medallion. In the 1970s these pieces became very popular in Iran as well and were re-imported there. Hence the name. Only a very few pieces found their way from Iran to Europe. That is what makes the pieces first re-imported into Iran so rare. This old Re-Import Sarough is around 100 years old and a real collector's piece.

 

Pattern

The lavish floral motifs of this Re-Import Sarough are elegantly drawn and full of variety. The graceful plant symbols, depicting blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

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

In the middle of the central field of this Re-Import Sarough lies the symmetrical centre, also known as the medallion. The design of the field is subordinate to the medallion, so that the medallion seems to float on the field.

The background of this Re-Import Sarough is rust red. The border is worked in rust red, golden beige and dark blue. In the rust-red centre, golden beige and blue-grey are combined.

 

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Re-Import Sarough. It had owners before you who valued and used it. It was hand-knotted in around 1920. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. That is why – despite its age – it is in very good condition.

 

Material

The pile of this Re-Import Sarough 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 number of impressive properties: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Re-Import Sarough are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and stretchy, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.