Old re-import Sarough | 131cm x 68cm | No. 10052

Floral Alter Re-import Sarough, beige patternd with central medallion and border

Place of origin

This rug is from Sarough (also Sarouk, Saruk or Sarogh). Sarough is one of the most famous rug-making areas in Iran. Situated in the western Persian province of Aarak, it includes the provinces of Arak, Jozan, Ghiasabad, Mahal, Malayer, Mohajeran, Sultanabad and Wiss. In Sarough, Persian patterns of all types are knotted, sometimes even according to the customer's specifications. The neighboring Farahan as well as the local Sultanabad designs and the so-called Mir-i-Boteh patterns consisting of Paisley motifs are also produced with passion. Typical for this type of rug is the very good wool quality of the pile, since the new wool comes from the Persian highlands. However, the backing (warp and weft) is usually made of cotton. In old and antique rugs, a blue weft thread is often found. The knotting is very fine and the pile is relatively high.

Old and antique Mahal and Malayer type rugs knotted in Sarough between 1880 and 1930 are particularly sought after by collectors.

The so-called American Sarouks, which were knotted especially for the American market between 1900 and 1940, are considered special examples of the art of rug-making in Iran. The colors of the American Sarouks are reduced to shades of rust, red, blue and some brown or beige, and they have a floral pattern that usually does not have a central medallion. In the 1970s these pieces became very popular in Iran as well, and were re-imported there, hence the name. Only a few pieces reached Europe from Iran. That's why the pieces that were first re-imported to Iran are particularly rare. This old Re-import Sarough is more than 40 years old and a true collector's item.

Patterns

The luxuriant flower motifs of this Re-import Sarough are elegant and varied. The graceful vegetative symbols representing flowers, leaves and branches are artfully intertwined.

The recurring pattern (so-called repeating pattern) flatters the design of the room and does not take attention away from the furniture, the decoration and architectural elements. It blends in fantastically with any surroundings and subtly complements the interior design of a room.. In this Re-import Sarough the repeating elements give way to the symmetrical medallion in the center of the panel.

The embellished edging (border) forms a glorious contrast to the center and creates a transition at the edge of the rug.

The background of this Re-import Sarough is beige. The border features dark blue and olive green.

Condition

You are not the first to appreciate this Re-import Sarough. It has had owners before you who have cherished and used it. It was hand knotted about 1930. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it lovingly. Therefore it is in very good condition despite its age.

Material

The technique used to dye the wool of the pile of this Re-import Sarough is over 200 years old. Dyeing with natural or plant-based dyes is more complicated, expensive and time-consuming than dyeing with chemical dyes. For a bright red, for example, you would need about one kilogram of ground madder root as dye per kilogram of wool. For a strong, not too pale yellow, you would need two kilograms of dye per kilogram of wool. Spinning wool is also time-consuming and labour-intensive. In addition, fewer and fewer people are able to spin wool by hand.

But the effort is worth it; high-quality wool retains its natural fat content when dyed with natural dyes. Natural dyes create fascinating, iridescent patterns. The charm of hand-spun wool with its slight irregularities and natural shades unfolds in rooms that are furnished in a more traditional or country house style but also as a contrasting element in modern interiors. The weft and warp threads of this Re-import Sarough are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and stretchable and, therefore, ideal for a durable backing fabric.