Hamadan rug, circa 1900

Measurements: 209cm x 91cm (6’10 x 3’)

54 Knots per inch

Price: £240

One of my favourite Hamadan rugs for some time. The design appears quite regular, yet at the top symmetry is dispensed with. The same is true of the border, the boteh turn from right to left alternately except for in a couple of instances. A deliberate ploy or a forgetful weaver? I would say deliberate. The colours are very pleasing with a soft yellow in the main field and dark aubergine in the border. The random scattering of smaller motifs in the border appear only at the bottom and progress a few feet up the rug until some order is applied and the border is drawn more cleanly. This piece is older than most of the Hamadans I have and I think the artistry and colours are better, It is of course quite distressed but I would always buy a piece that has interest regardless of condition which I consider overrated.

Condition:

Lots of low pile and old repair to the main field. A section of selvedge is missing and there is a crude repair to one end, both ends have some loss.