Provenance and Workshop Heritage

Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, is one of the oldest and most renowned centres of Persian weaving. Quality in Tabriz is measured in Raj — the number of knots across a 7 cm span. A 50 Raj piece sits firmly in the fine quality range, where the drawing reaches the clarity that defines the Tabriz idiom. The Sarab Mashayekhi workshop is among the recognised Tabriz workshops, with a particular reputation for the Mahi vocabulary.

This piece was hand-knotted in the Sarab Mashayekhi workshop in Tabriz, Iran, in 50 Raj quality, from fine kork wool on a cotton foundation. The composition follows the classical Mahi ("fish") design — a Herati all-over of small rosettes set in a diamond lattice framed by curved "fish" leaves, repeating across the entire field. A stepped central diamond medallion with pendants anchors the composition, set off by ivory corner spandrels. The Mahi is one of the most architecturally readable of Persian patterns, particularly well suited to interiors where the rug should provide rhythmic structure rather than a single dominant focal point.

Colour and Composition

The palette sets a warm rust-terracotta ground against a deep navy medallion and main border, with ivory spandrels and guard borders. Floral detail is drawn in sage-green, light blue, salmon and old-rose, with touches of black for definition. The Mahi all-over reads as a continuous architectural pattern from any viewing distance — close-up as fine drawing, from a distance as a measured rhythmic field. White wool fringes finish the ends.

Presence in the Room

At 211 × 150 cm (3.2 m²) this is a compact room-size piece in the overlap between small and medium. Three contexts in which the vintage Tabriz reaches its full effect:

• Living room: Anchoring a compact seating group, the Mahi all-over adds rhythmic structure without dominating other furniture.
• Bedroom: Beside or at the foot of a bed, the rust-and-navy palette and architectural pattern read as a quiet anchor for the room.
• Library or study: Beneath a desk or beside a reading chair, the all-over Mahi rewards quiet, repeated viewing.

Specifications

Responsible Sourcing · Label STEP

Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — a commitment to dignified working conditions and against child labour in rug production. Visit the Label STEP entry for Djoharian Teppiche →

Djoharian — Since 1967

With roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran and more than five decades of experience in the international rug trade, Djoharian has specialised in antique, designer and collector rugs since 1967. Each piece is selected, vetted and presented with the documentation a serious buyer expects.

Service and Delivery

Every piece in the Djoharian Collection is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main, professionally washed and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. We offer secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, and personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.