Antique Tabriz rug, Azerbaijan, NW Iran, 7. ft 05 in x 10 ft 05 in (2.26 m x 3.18 m)

Antique Tabriz, late nineteenth century - Antique Tabriz carpets like this descend from the oldest continuous tradition of rug weaving in Persia, but they seldom come this close to the forerunners that inspired them. Here an allover design of ‘flame’ and ‘sickle’ palmettes in a wide array of rich colors repeats majestically across a dramatic blue-black field. The border of halved cartouches preserves the scale and color scheme of the field, to achieve a stunning overall visual unity, while its differing design provides just the right amount of contrast. A true Tabriz masterpiece. Nazmiyal Collection