9 x 12 Antique Persian Serapi Rug 74972

74972 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Serapi Rug, 09'05 x 12'04.

Woven in the storied mountains of Northwest Persia during the Late 19th Century, this hand-knotted wool antique Serapi rug stands as a rare and regal testament to a golden age of artisan mastery. At its core lies an arresting octofoil medallion—a radiant constellation of eight lobes—anchored with flaming palmette pendants that blaze like eternal guardians. This celestial design is festooned with enigmatic tribal emblems, tree of life motifs, and stylized florals, all woven with a reverence that speaks to ancestral memory and the spiritual geometry of the land. Here, symbolism is not ornamental—it is sacred, alive, and encoded in every knot.

The majestic madder red field serves as a rich, fertile ground for an exquisite array of botanical and talismanic motifs. Lotus blossoms whisper of rebirth and immortality; tulips nod to the blessings of prosperity; rosettes unfurl in timeless beauty; serrated leaves ripple with the promise of endless regeneration. Peonies pulse with imperial strength, lilies lend an air of spiritual purity, and angular amulets—discreet yet powerful—ward off the malevolent gaze of the evil eye. This magnificent work of art is framed with inner and outer hooked outlines—ivory and blue respectively—each one a protective threshold between the visible world and the mystic forces beneath.

Gracefully resting in each corner, the ivory-beige spandrels echo the language of the central field while grounding the entire composition in harmonious contrast. Adorned with angular botanical forms and punctuated with pink and blue geometric contours, these elegant quadrants serve as portals—mirroring the exclusive medallion while extending its presence outward like sacred echoes. The spandrels do not simply fill space; they balance the design like the four cardinal directions, invoking a sense of cosmological unity and visual repose.

Encasing this masterpiece is a rich red samovar turtle vine scroll border—a dynamic chain of abstracted turtles and blossoms that dance in rhythmic procession, symbolizing longevity and continuity. This opulent frame is flanked on both sides by rare repeating elibelinde guard bands on a cool sky-blue ground—an ancient Anatolian fertility motif that pays homage to the nurturing force of womanhood and the cyclical nature of life. Together, these elements form a harmonious whole, where every color, symbol, and contour converges into a symphony of spiritual and aesthetic refinement.

What makes this precious heirloom truly extraordinary is not just its impeccable artistry or symbolic depth, but its rarity. Serapi rugs of this caliber and composition are vanishing treasures, woven before industrialization touched the craft. Owning such a piece is to possess a fragment of Persian heritage—timeless, luxurious, and steeped in meaning. It is a collector’s gem, a curator’s dream, and a profound investment in beauty, culture, and social good. This is more than décor—it is legacy.

• Abrash.
• Hand-knotted wool.
• Made in Iran (Persia).
• Measures 09'05 x 12'04.
• Pile Height: 0.20 of an inch.
• Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.