Get a Free Estimate :
Khazai rug cleaning and repair logo

Herati Design Rugs

Mahi (fish), fish in pond, mahi darham (twisted fishes) and Herati. These are names for a widely used Persian pattern attributed to the city of Herat (nowadays in Afghanistan) which has spread westwards across Persia, Anatolia and Caucasia with lots of interpretations applied to different types of design, in both rectilinear and curvilinear renderings. Serving mainly as a repeating pattern, the general form consists of a flower framed in a diamond with curving leaves out of it parallel to each side. Recalling tiny fishes, these curving leaves have been called ‘mahi’ most probably by weavers and merchants. But interestingly fishes were actually included in the ancient predecessors of the general form. Being remained from Mithraism iconography in the Iranian visual traditions, these predecessors show two fishes holding a lotus or embracing a round face, symbolizing the birth of Mithras in the water. Such a design were still painted in books’ illustration during Timurid rule in Herat, when its more abstract renderings were widely used in royal carpet designs.
Iran: 4th-century relief of the investiture of the Sasanian king Ardashir II. Mithra stands on a lotus flower on the left holding a barsom
Some scholars believe such patterns originated in Qaen and Birjand, in the old land of Kohestan, southwestern parts of Khorasan the great. Nevertheless in the era the pattern form Herat was the Iranian capital under the rule of Timurid kings located at rather northwestern wing of the Great Khorasan, and it makes sense if the western Iranian lands knows an eastern pattern as Herati. Actually, the renaissance of the Persian arts kindled in Herat. Tabriz and Isfahan, the next Iranian capitals, where deeply under the Influence of Herat Library in which great masters such Behzad had been trained who established the first Safavid royal library, and the style called the Second School of Tabriz. The royal painters and book illustrators are also considered as rug designers of the Safavid royal workshops. Accordingly, the style has come directly from the royal library into the best of court rugs. During the next centuries Herati pattern found its way to almost all rug weaving centers of the orient! Nowadays it is a universal pattern with far too many interpretations.
‘Herati’ Design: The Bacri-Clark Kerman Sickle-Leaf Throne Carpet. Kerman, South Persia, second half of the sixteenth century, 1.95m x 2.65m (6ft 5in x 8ft 8in), wool pile on a cotton and silk foundation. Sotheby’s New York, 5 June 2013, lot 12. Estimate $5,000,000-$7,000,000, sold for $33,765,000
A Kirman ‘Herati’ Design rug. Southeast Persia, late 17th century. 8ft 3 in x 5ft (251 cm x 151 cm). This piece was offered in Oriental Rugs and Carpets on 19 April 2016 at Christie’s in London and sold for £962,500
Fine Antique Senneh Kilim, Origin: Persia, Circa: Turn of the 20th Century – Taking traditional flat-weave patterns to great heights, this antique Persian kilim features vibrant colors, intricate small-scale patterns and unique composition details intrinsic to the highly recognizable village style of Senneh, also called Sanandaj, The marvelous blending of discrete colors, patterns and designs adds to the richness and significance of this archetypal Senneh kilim. The composition favors a formal style using a colorful Herati motif medallion paired with detailed guard-bands and vine-filled borders. The inset medallion composition, which is familiar to Senneh, incorporates poly chrome Herati motifs surrounded by a spectacular lozenge-shaped field dotted with bronze botehs that blend into the petal-strewn ground. This iconic pairing is juxtaposed against superb spandrels that display multiple strap-work stripes, each with unique colors and decorations, ranging from creative to classic
Antique Persian Tabriz Rug, Origin: Persia, Circa: Late 19th century, around – 1880 – Surrounded by substantial borders and guard-bands, this antique Persian Tabriz rug created by the master weaver Haji Jalili, features an all-over arabesque inspired by Herati flowers woven in oatmeal, camel and copper-brown with dark sepia accents. The main border of this antique Persian rug features a reciprocating Herati, or fish, pattern with segmented flowers and interlocking leaves while the guard-bands use a variant of the Shah Abbas-style palmette and cloud-band border
Antique Persian Bidjar Rug, Origin: Persia, Circa: Late 19th Century – A delicately rendered medallion in soft green floats within a scintillating Herati mesh contained by a yet larger hexagonal medallion in red on this antique rug. The remainder of the field is comprised by blue corner pieces filled with a Herati mesh on blue. The central medallion is adapted to produce the main border design, with an inversion of color, while simpler vine-scroll minor borders enclose the main one. The design of the borders as well as their color provides a nice contrast to the Herati ornament that dominates so much of the field
Small Tribal Antique Scatter Size Persian Bakshaish Rug, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa date: 1900 – Crafted with precision and drawn in a sophisticated style, this antique Persian village carpet exhibits the best features of Bakshaish rugs. The heavily patterned lozenge medallion is filled with rectilinear Herati motifs featuring quadripartite centerpieces, star-like palmettes and polychromatic Fish Design Mahi leaves that are precisely outlined and skillfully arranged around a host of small-scale figures. Terra-cotta spandrels embrace the posh ivory medallion while displaying a marvelous continuation of the allover pattern, which takes on a strong masculine appearance thanks to the earthy clay-tone ground. Narrow strapwork borders featuring monochrome stripes, zigzagging running-water figures and meandering floral vines encircle the regal field. The carefully composed borders provide an understated conclusion that allows the beauty of the detail-rich Herati pattern to become the star of this classical antique rug
Antique Persian Room Size Sultanabad Rug, Country Of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: Late 19th Century – This sophisticated antique rug from Persia features an impressive allover Herati pattern surrounded by delicate guard bands and wide main borders decorated with radiant medallions and a variety of complex floral bouquets. The fantastic main borders feature clear burnt sienna details set over a soft Persian blue background while the field is decorated with detailed Mahi patterns arranged in a dense allover composition. Each Herati motif features poly chromatic leaves with plume-like contours, flame-like palmettes and delicately colored vine scrolls. The carefully colored motifs and saturated borders contrast the clear ivory field, which enhances the detailed floral motifs and precise Herati pattern, a predominant design in the Persian Sultanabad region
Call Now