Malayer 1785

An exquisite late 19th century Persian Malayer village rug of great elegance and refinement, showcasing the artistry of Northwest Persia's weaving tradition at the height of its powers. The design features an elegant elongated medallion set within a pale yellow diamond-shaped field of unusual luminosity, beautifully complemented by navy blue corner spandrels of striking contrast.

The medallion's deep navy ground is adorned with intricate motifs in red, green, blue, and cream, while the richly detailed navy border displays floral and geometric accents in French blue, green, yellow, and red. Woven with hand-spun wool and natural vegetable dyes, the rug exhibits a stunning abrash throughout — the natural tonal variation of hand-dyed wool that gives this piece a warmth, charm, and authenticity that no uniformly dyed textile can replicate. The Malayer district of Western Persia — located in the Hamadan province, east of the Zagros Mountains — produced village rugs of remarkable quality and diversity throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Malayer rugs are distinguished by their fine weave, their inventive use of design formats drawn from both the Hamadan and Sarouk traditions, and a palette of naturally dyed wool whose depth and complexity reward close study. The finest Malayer rugs, particularly those in the camel hair field and Herati allover formats, are among the most sought-after village rugs of Western Persia.

Dimensions: 4' 2" x 6' 2"

Date of Manufacture: 4th Quarter of the 1800s

Place of Origin: NW Persia (Malayer district)

Material: Wool pile on a cotton foundation with vegetable dyes

Condition: Wear consistent with age and use — repairs

SKU: 1785