This antique Persian Malayer rug from the early 1900s presents the classic Herati allover design in a deep navy-blue field of great depth and visual authority — one of the most enduring and beloved design and color combinations in the Western Persian village rug tradition. The finely rendered motifs in shades of green, pink, blue, and rust red create a composition of harmonious complexity, framed by a cream border of quiet elegance.
What makes this piece especially desirable is its rare near-square proportions — a format far less common in Malayer production than the standard elongated rectangle, and one that many collectors and designers actively seek for its visual balance and versatility. 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: 3' 6" x 4' 3"
Date of Manufacture: 1st Quarter of the 1900s
Place of Origin: Persia (Malayer district)
Material: Wool pile on a cotton foundation with vegetable dyes
