The Heriz Weaving Tradition

The town of Heriz lies in north-west Persia, between the historic centres of Tabriz and Ardabil, in a region long famous for robust, boldly drawn carpets. Heriz rugs are defined by a large, angular medallion, generous corner spandrels and a powerful, geometric vocabulary of stylised vinework and palmettes — a graphic strength shared with the weaving traditions of the nearby Caucasus. Knotted in the exceptionally durable highland wool of the region, a good Heriz is built to last generations.

This is a genuine antique piece, circa 1940s, hand-knotted in wool on a cotton foundation. The wool has aged into a deep, lustrous patina, and the rug has come through the decades in excellent condition — freshly washed, with edges and fringes intact and original.

Design and Colour

A large stepped, angular medallion with pendants sits at the centre of a deep brick-red field, framed by navy-indigo corner spandrels and a broad indigo main border of large palmettes. The drawing is the classic Heriz repertoire — bold, architectural, unmistakably geometric. The palette is rich and saturated: brick-red and indigo carrying ivory, rose and old-pink, soft green, gold and pale blue. These are deep, natural dye colours with the luminous quality that only good highland wool and decades of gentle age produce.

A Collector's Investment

Antique Heriz carpets are among the most sought-after of all Persian village weavings, prized for their durability, their bold design and their enduring value. A genuine antique example in excellent condition, such as this one, is both a piece to live with and a lasting investment — the kind of carpet that holds and builds its value over time, and is handed on between generations.

Presence in the Room

At 365 × 251 cm (9.2 m²) this is a large room-size carpet. Three settings in which it works particularly well:

• Grand living room: Anchoring a full seating group, the brick-red field and bold medallion give a room warmth and structure at once.
• Formal dining room: Generous enough for a large table with chairs pulled back; the durable wool and dense pattern take daily use in their stride.
• Stately interior or study: The geometric Heriz drawing is equally at home with traditional furniture and with modern, architectural rooms.

Specifications

Responsible Origin · Label STEP

Djoharian is a certified partner of Label STEP, the international fair-trade organisation for hand-knotted rugs. STEP audits production conditions on the ground — wages, working environment, no child labour — and tracks pieces from loom to dealer.

Djoharian — Since 1967

Our family business was founded in 1967, with roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran. Five decades of trade and connoisseurship inform every piece we offer. As a verified seller on 1stDibs since 2013 (rated 5.0/5), our rugs have been featured in productions including the film Spencer (2021). Each piece is presented with the documentation a serious collector expects.

Service

Secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured. Each piece is professionally packed and documented. We are available for any questions on placement, care, or comparable pieces.