Description
Impressive and difficult to find antique Persian Ardabil geometric rug from Northern Iran near the Caspian Sea.
Colors include rusty reds, tans, pastel blue, green, light gold, navy blue, and cream.
The rug is in very good overall antique/vintage condition with moderate even wear on the wool pile.
The cotton fringes and side cords are in great shape. Absolutely no odors, holes or weak spots in the rug that would compromise its use.
It’s a finely knotted short pile carpet but can be used in a high foot traffic area of the home. Despite some mild wear commensurate with its age, this carpet is solid and ready for decades more of enjoyment.
Natural wool woven onto natural cotton. 1930s – 1940s.
Last photo with Morgan silver dollar shows the backside of the carpet.
Exact size is 9 ft. 8 in. by 6 ft. 5 in.
The Ardabil area is famous for its intricate ‘Mahi’ (fish pattern) Herati carpets. These less common geometric pieces are more balanced with open space to let the motif breath.
The area around Ardabil (also Ardebil) is famous for its Shahsavan tribal weavers. More information on Ardabil and its famous carpets below.
Shipping will be $55 within the continental U.S. Or free pickup in Tucson, Arizona.
Please email me with questions. Thank you.
The Splendor of Ardabil Carpets
Ardabil rugs usually display the classic Mahi Herati design, with a diamond medallion and small flashing ‘fish’ across much of the carpet. Occasionally, weavers use silk on the wool to accentuate highlights in the pattern. Favored colors include various shades of beige, rust and blue.
Ardabil is a major rug production center for tribal and village rugs; the carpets and bags of the Shahsavan tribe are especially admired by international collectors. Many Ardabil rugs use Caucasian designs. One reason for this is that when the Christian Russians expanded into the Caucasus, many Shia Moslems moved out of the newly Russian areas and into present day Iran.
The major north and south road from the Caucasus passes through Ardabil so many of the displaced immigrants settled around Ardabil, and naturally brought their Caucasian weaving motifs and traditions with them.
Tribal Shahsaven men and women are well known for their horse riding skills, and even the women partake in riding competitions.
The Mausoleum of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili is an important historical site in the area. Because of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili and his Safavid descendents, Ardabil became a base for the Safavi clan and the Sufi order that they founded.
Ardabil produced two of the most important, famous, and oldest dated carpets in the world. One is the 34′ x 17′ masterpiece housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The second of the pair belongs to the LA County Museum of Art. These carpets date to the mid 16th century and are stunning in their size, complexity and beauty.
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