Antique Re-Import Sarough | 550 x 365 cm | Nr. 20155

liFloral antique Re-Import Sarough, rust red, patterned throughout with a central medallion and border

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	550 cm x 365 cm (= 20.07 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	300.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1910
Colour	Rust red, Dark blue
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 are the so-called American Sarouks, which were knotted between 1900 and 1940 specifically for the American market. The colours of the American Sarouks are limited to rust, red and blue tones along with a few browns and beiges, and they carry a floral pattern that usually does without a central medallion. In the 1970s these pieces also became hugely popular in Iran and were re-imported there. Hence the name. Only a handful of pieces then made their way from Iran to Europe. That is what makes the pieces first re-imported into Iran so rare. This antique Re-Import Sarough is a collector's item. It is around 110 years old, and that alone makes it a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this Re-Import Sarough remain as sought after as ever and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses. This exceptionally beautiful piece is what is known as a "Sarough Mohajeran".

 

Pattern

The edge of the rug is graced by a surround (border). The border forms a wonderful contrast to the centre.

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 recurring pattern (known as a repeat pattern) flatters the design of the room and never steals attention from the furniture, the décor or the architectural elements. It settles beautifully into any setting and complements a room's furnishings in a subtle way. In this Re-Import Sarough, the repeating elements find their centre in the middle of the field, in the symmetrical medallion.

The background of this Re-Import Sarough is rust red. The border is worked in dark blue and golden beige.

 

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Re-Import Sarough. It has had owners before you who valued and used it. It was hand-knotted around 1910. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The pile of this rug has grown a little thinner in places. The fringes and edges could also do with a repair here and there. We have not restored this Re-Import Sarough, because we feel it has a special presence exactly as it is. If you would like us to, we will of course gladly restore the rug for you. Either way, this Re-Import Sarough will give you pleasure for decades to come.

 

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.