Description
74840 Mid-19th Century Antique Persian Sultanabad Hunting Rug, 10'01 x 14'08.
Woven in the golden twilight of the mid-19th century, this hand-knotted Persian Sultanabad rug stands as a rare and majestic artifact—an opulent pictorial composition steeped in symbolic narrative and regal splendor. At its heart lies a lavish hunting scene, rendered with extraordinary finesse, where wild lions, agile gazelles, and stately deer are enshrined within a world of arabesque vine scrolls and curling tendrils. Each signature animal, each flourish, evokes the ancient Persian tradition of weaving myth and memory into thread—a visual masterpiece hand-knotted in wool and dyed with the earth’s own palette.
The abrashed terra cotta field, softly faded through time, is not merely a backdrop but an integral voice in the story. Variations in tone create a living, breathing surface, where light and shadow dance across the symmetrical layout of predator and prey, strength and grace. Floral rosettes and stylized palmettes blossom between the creatures, their rhythm echoing the eternal cycle of life and nature’s sublime order. These exclusive elements are drawn with intentional poise, every curve a testament to the artistic discipline and storytelling genius of the master weaver.
Encircling this exquisite work of art is a refined botanical border, populated with rosettes, curling leaves, and flowering stems, each motif emblematic of prosperity and divine guardianship. This exclusive border is framed by inner and outer carnation meander guard bands, whose flowing, interconnected forms speak to continuity and protection. The layered architecture of the extraordinary design not only enhances the rug’s visual complexity but elevates its narrative depth, offering a dynamic tension between wilderness and structure, instinct and ornamentation.
A true heirloom of cultural wealth, this antique Sultanabad hunting rug embodies an experience of supreme exclusivity. Its pictorial grandeur, masterful execution, and profound symbolism make it far more than a decorative object—it is a singular work of art, a woven manuscript chronicling the noble virtues of strength, harmony, and beauty. Such pieces are exceedingly scarce, and their presence in any collection signals not only refinement and taste but also a deep reverence for heritage, artistry, and the enduring legacy of Persian craftsmanship.
- Distressed. Desirable Age Wear.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Iran.
- Measures: 10'01 x 14'08.
- Date: 1860's. Mid-19th Century.