Have a look at this antique Persian Seraband runner from the 1880s. It is full of so much character and charm earned through well over a century of life. Handwoven with vegetable dyed wool, it features the classic “boteh” or paisley motif, neatly arranged in diagonal rows across an ivory ground.
The design is anchored by borders that tell their own story, one with a blossom-laden vine, another with the traditional “Fence of Security,” and an outer band of raw, undyed camel hair sprinkled with small floral motifs.
If you look closely, you’ll catch sporadic paisleys woven into the raw camel hair border…scattered without pattern or rhythm. That quiet irregularity is what gives this rug its personality, its old-world soul. And then there’s the tiniest little mark, no bigger than a dime, that feels like the weaver’s own signature, a whisper of presence left behind. It’s these subtle, significant details that make the rug not just one-of-a-kind, but instantly recognizable, like a fingerprint in wool.
The pile is low, with natural wear scattered throughout, which only adds to its vintage flair. Subtle abrash, those color shifts that happen when a new batch of wool is introduced, creates depth and variation that can’t be replicated. The overall effect is a runner that blends artistry, history, and practicality in a way that feels approachable and lived-in.
:: 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:
:: FREE SHIPPING (USA only. CANADA $50. Int’l $150).
:: Yes, we work with the trade.
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:: To get inside info, sneak previews of rugs before they hit shop, and more inspo & history of old rugs, follow along on Instagram @blueparakeetrugs
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