This exquisite vintage Persian Tabriz Mahi rug, masterfully woven in a skilled artisan workshop in Tabriz, Northwest Persia, during the third quarter of the 20th century, features the traditional Herati Mahi pattern across a deep navy blue field accented by secondary hues of rich rust red and creamy ivory — a composition of remarkable color harmony and visual depth.
The stunning French blue border, adorned with intricate motifs in green, yellow, red, blue, and brown, exemplifies the expert use of color and sophisticated design for which Tabriz workshops are celebrated. The Mahi — 'fish' in Persian — pattern is one of Tabriz's signature contributions to the Persian rug canon, its interlocking rosettes and flowing vine elements filling the field with a density and rhythm that rewards both close inspection and appreciation from across the room. Tabriz, the ancient capital of Persian Azerbaijan and one of the great trading cities of the Silk Road, has been a center of carpet weaving for centuries. The city's workshops produce rugs of extraordinary technical precision and design sophistication — ranging from the classical floral medallion compositions of the great 19th century masters to the bold geometric and Mahi patterns for which Tabriz is equally celebrated. Tabriz rugs are among the most recognized and sought-after Persian carpets in the world.
