Antique Re-Import Sarough | 120 x 69 cm | Nr. 19039

Antique Re-Import Sarough

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	Persia
Dimensions	120 cm x 69 cm (= 0.83 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots	420.000
Year of manufacture	1890
Condition	pre-owned, but in very good condition (cleaned & restored)
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 case in the art of rug knotting in Iran is the so-called American Saroughs, which were knotted between 1900 and 1940 specifically for the American market. The colours of the American Saroughs are limited to rust, red, blue and a few brown and beige tones, and they show a floral pattern that usually does without a central medallion. In the 1970s these pieces also became very popular in Iran and were re-imported there. Hence the name. Only a very few pieces found their way from Iran to Europe. This is why the pieces that were first re-imported into Iran are especially rare.

This antique Antique Re-Import Sarough is a collector's piece. It is around 136 years old and a truly special piece for that reason alone. Antique rugs such as this Antique Re-Import Sarough remain hugely popular and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses.

Material

The pile of this Antique Re-Import Sarough 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 grease content of the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is thus naturally proofed against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound.

The weft and warp threads of this Antique Re-Import Sarough are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly suitable for a hard-wearing foundation.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Antique Re-Import Sarough. It has had owners before you who valued it and lived with it. In a few places along the edges the pile has become slightly thinner. The piece has also been shortened evenly by about a centimetre at both fringe ends, which takes nothing at all away from the beauty of the pattern and is therefore something only true connoisseurs of these wonderful pieces will notice. It was knotted around 1890. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good condition.