Sarab/Hamadan runner early 20th century

Measurements: 365cm x 119cm (12’ x 3’11)

64 Knots per inch

Price: £1,250

Rugs with a plain camel hair border are generally called Sarab. This one is unusual in having a single weft between each row of knots as well as a slightly less floppy feel than the Sarabs I have seen previously. It’s construction is more typical of Hamadan rugs which always have just the single weft giving them a distinctive look on the underside. The final piece of evidence is an old label beautifully scribed on a piece of material sewn to the back which states ‘Hamadan’. That piece of hard evidence concludes the investigation but does give some insight into the diffculty of any attribution based on appearance. I class this as a decorative rug, made for export to feed the ever growing demand for these items at the end of the 19th and early 20th century. This is opposed to tribal rugs which were largely made to use although many were also traded. I love the camel borders and soft colours, particularly on the outer border. The allover field is also one of my favourite designs. Despite it’s age the condition is very good and such is the robust nature of the construction I think it has at least another hundred years use left in it.

Condition:

Very good condition with just a couple of minor repairs to the border and one end.