Antique Bijar | 570 x 336 cm | Nr. 17589

All-over patterned antique Bijar, rust red with border and medallion

Origin

This rug was knotted in Bijar, in the province of Kermanshah in north-western Iran. Bijar rugs are among the sturdiest and finest Oriental rugs. The majority of the population in Bijar are Kurds.

In the Kurdish Bijar a particularly thick, extremely hard weft yarn is beaten in. The result is a board-stiff rug that is exceptionally hard-wearing. The younger Bijars in particular are adorned with the typical Herati pattern, also known as the fish pattern. This antique Bijar is a collector's piece. It is around 100 years old and for that reason alone a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this Bijar are as popular as ever and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses.

Pattern

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

In the middle of this Bijar's central field lies the symmetrical centre, also known as the medallion. The design of the field is subordinate to the medallion, so that the medallion appears to float on the field.

The repeating elements of this Bijar rug have no particular centre. The recurring repeat pattern feels calming, yet never dull. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The background of this Bijar is rust red. The border is worked in rust red, blue-grey and beige. In the blue-grey centre, pink and beige are combined.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Bijar. It has had owners before you who valued and used it. It was hand-knotted around 1920 and has given faithful service ever since. This exceptionally long Bijar is very well preserved overall. The colours, however, have faded considerably in large areas, which gives the rug a new, special charm and a vintage look. All in all it is still in good condition and can bring pleasure for decades to come. We have not restored this Bijar, 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 Bijar was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a number of impressive properties: thanks to the natural lanolin content of the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is therefore naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps to regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Bijar are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.