19th Century Antique Persian Serapi Carpet

About the Item

Serapi – Northwest Persia The finest 19th-century Serapis, like this one, perfectly woven and in incomparably good condition, reflect a breathtaking level of originality and perfect aesthetic balance. A fascinating elongated red medallion with an original design stands out in the centre. Its vibrant field features stylized and colourful flowers that seem to float. The main field of the rug in iridescent indigo is highlighted by various exotic leaves and beautifully articulated plants. The rug’s artistic inspiration extends to the ivory-hued leading border. The carpet is clean and ready for use. Antique 19th-century Serapi rugs are the rarest and most sought-after Persian rugs today. Woven in the mountains of northwest Persia, Serapi rugs are a distinct style from the Heriz region, with finer knots and wider, more spacious designs than other rugs. With an elegant aesthetic, antique Serapis has traditionally been the carpet of choice for American government buildings, including the White House. Today, Serapi rugs are used in traditional and contemporary decorations and in eclectic and post-modern environments. “Serapi” is not a place or the name of an ethnic group. But it is a term used in the carpet market derived from “Serab-i”, which means “from Serab”. This is because these Persian carpets had to be taken by their weavers to Serab, 45 kilometres away, to be sold. Antique Serapi rugs were woven by families or in small workshops, with several weavers working for years to finish each carpet. The clothing was done almost exclusively by women. Highly skilled artists continually reinterpreted the design as they wove, creating highly spontaneous and creative art. In general, antique Serapi rugs made in small workshops are finer and more classic and family-woven Serapi rugs feature more symbolic designs. The women of this area were master dyers capable of deeply dyeing silky wool in various colours with “abrash”. The wide range of colours and tones was acquired through many carefully prepared plants and minerals based on no longer known recipes. Colours or shades ranging from watermelon to terracotta were made from madder roots. The many shades of blue, including deep navy, came from the indigo plant. The golden and yellow tones came from chamomile and various other plants. Serapi rug weavers also often used undyed, raw wool, whose ivory and beige tones contrasted with the range of plant colours. The heavy traffic that Serapi rugs often endure means significant restoration is sometimes necessary for their preservation. If done with skill and care, restoration allows continued use of these majestic antique rugs and increases their investment value. Antique 19th-century rugs with a moderate amount of skillfully executed restoration are pretty rare and, if of excellent quality and solid artistic impact, are highly sought after. Our collection of Serapi rugs reflects a vast variety of this style. We have a carefully selected inventory that attests to the surprising effect these rugs provide to various interiors. The rarity of the best ancient Serapis with pure vegetable dyes, geometric designs and the inspired art of their artists make them excellent investments, occupying an important position in the international art market.

Dimensions:

Width: 98.43 in (250 cm)Length: 149.61 in (380 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Wool,Hand-Knotted

Place of Origin:

Iran

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1875

Condition:

Repaired.