This antique Persian Malayer from the 1920s, measuring a square-ish 5x6, showcases art that pulls you in the longer you look. At first glance, it’s the border that steals the show, an exquisite frame filled with branching vine and geometric floral motifs, almost like trees sprouting in rhythmic succession. The dark midnight blue tendrils against a warm wheat backdrop give the impression of movement, as if the border itself is alive and growing.
The field is equally amazing, composed of a tightly packed all-over lattice design. Within each compartment you’ll notice stylized flowers, diamond medallions, and serrated leaves. The pattern repeats, but never too perfectly, giving that human touch of the village loom. Each flower almost feels like a little starburst, and together they create a sense of continuity, harmony, and infinity.
The dyes have aged with soul, corals that soften into peach, navy that shifts into midnight, mossy greens that mellow into pistachio, and hints of sky blue peeking through. Abrash is on proud display, streaks of shifting color that remind us of natural dye lots and the hand-crafted nature of the wool.
Condition tells a story too: there’s scattered wear and tiny areas of wool loss (as shown in pics), but the cotton foundation remains intact and strong. The rug is stout, sturdy, and ready to serve another lifetime. These signs of age don’t detract; they add character, showing the footsteps, furniture, and decades of life this piece has lived.
Handwoven with vegetable-dyed wool, this Malayer is more than a decorative rug, it’s a highly detailed piece of floor art that will be cherished. Between the luminous border, the mesmerizing all-over field, the awesome square shape and the nuanced palette, it offers endless design vocabulary and stands as a testament to Persian village weaving at its best.
Low pile. Scattered wear. Woven with vegetable dyed wool.
:: Please consider a rug pad for this old beauty, to keep it protected and wiggle free. Click below if you want to add one at BPR and we will custom cut it to size:
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