7 x 9 Antique Persian Halvai Guli Farang Bijar Rug 70551

70551 Antique Persian Halvai Guli Farang Bijar Rug, 06’07 x 09’01.

This exquisite hand-knotted wool Persian Guli Farang Bijar rug is a resplendent example of early 20th-century craftsmanship, likely woven in the famed Halvai workshops of Bijar. With its rich botanical theme and remarkable knot density, this rug transcends mere utility to become a true work of woven art. The Guli Farang—or “Foreign Flower” design, introduced in the late 19th century, drew inspiration from European garden aesthetics while remaining firmly rooted in Persian textile tradition. The result is a lavish floral tableau, marrying the charm of English rose gardens with the enduring strength and precision of Bijar weaving.

The Bijar rug's field is an opulent garden of stylized roses, peonies, and cabbage-like blossoms, each outlined in gold and set against a deeply saturated midnight ground. These florals burst forth in crimson, emerald, and saffron tones, their rhythmic repetition evoking the grandeur of a formal walled garden. The layered palette, composed of natural vegetable dyes, lends each motif a sense of movement and dimensionality. The painterly quality of the design speaks to the mastery of its weavers, whose hands skillfully rendered every bloom with exceptional clarity and life.

Framing this lush tableau is a succession of richly adorned borders, beginning with a golden beige guard band filled with rosettes and pomegranate blossoms, symbols of abundance and fertility. The primary border, woven in a blue-charcoal, is adorned with larger floral rosettes and scrolling vine work, echoing the vitality of the inner field. This architectural framing enhances the rug's harmony and structure while celebrating the perpetual bloom of nature. Even the reverse side reveals a tight and meticulously knotted foundation, hallmarks of the revered Halvai Bijar technique.

Beyond its decorative brilliance, this rug is a historical artifact, a celebration of the cultural exchange between East and West at the dawn of modernity. Its refined execution and romantic motifs make it especially suited for interiors that seek a blend of elegance, warmth, and worldliness. Whether displayed in a salon, grand foyer, or gallery-like space, this Guli Farang Bijar rug offers not just beauty underfoot, but a narrative of heritage, artistry, and timeless botanical splendor.

• Abrash.
• Hand-knotted wool.
• Made in Iran (Persia).
• Measures: 06'07 x 09'01.
• Date: 1920's. Early 20th Century.