Tabriz rug

This traditional antique Tabriz carpet from northwest Persia features a prominent elliptical medallion floating on an ivory field. Though dating from the later nineteenth century, the medallion and corner-pieces are patterned in a design known from Persian textiles of the seventeenth century. The border depicting alternating flowering trees a cypresses derives from classical Persian carpets from the same era. In keeping with Persian weaving traditions, the piece has a definite “abrash” or color alternation which playfully breaks the monotony just over half through the piece.