What Makes a Runner

A runner rug (in Persian: kelegi, in the Western trade: gallery) is a long, narrow rug — typically between 2 and 4 ft wide (60–120 cm) and 6 to 20 ft long (180–600 cm). The format was developed for the long entrance halls of palaces and country estates, and for the corridors of bazaars and caravanserais.

In modern interiors, a hand-knotted runner is the only format that brings textile warmth to a corridor, an entrance hall or a kitchen — spaces where a wide rug would be impractical. It defines a route, softens footsteps, and adds intricate visual rhythm at every step.

Where to Place a Runner

• —Entrance halls and long corridors — the classic and most demanding placement
• —Kitchen galleries — along a kitchen island or in front of cabinetry
• —Staircase landings — a runner at the top or bottom of a stair
• —Side of the bed — a soft step every morning
• —Galleries and showrooms — where a runner directs the visitor through the space

Provenances We Carry

Our runner collection spans antique, vintage and contemporary pieces from the great weaving traditions:

• —Persian: Heriz, Bidjar, Bakhtiari, Sarouk, Mahal, Hamadan, Malayer
• —Caucasian-style: bold geometric runners, often from Afghanistan
• —Turkmen: tribal runners with repeated gül patterns
• —Kilim runners: flat-woven, slim and ideal for hallways with tight thresholds

Why Choose a Runner from the Djoharian Collection

• —Hand-knotted, never machine-made
• —Bespoke runners available in any length up to 20 ft, in your choice of design and palette
• —Label STEP Fair Trade partner
• —Djoharian Collection — since 1967