Northwest Persian Runner
486 x 87 cm (15' 11" x 2' 10")
Persia, dated 1258 ? (1841 ?)
Condition: very good, scattered low pile, lower end slightly incomplete, minor small repairs
Warp: wool, weft: wool, pile: wool

At first glance, one might think this is the border of a large carpet, but this runner uses this impression to great effect. Large, beautifully drawn palmettes are surrounded by sweeping lancet leaves, giving the rug a dynamism unusual for a runner. Between the leaves, floral rosettes appear on the warm camel-colored ground, subtly suggesting a second system of tendrils.
At the upper and lower ends of the field, these rosettes are shown cut off in the corners, closing the field in a manner more typical of a carpet of different proportions. The warm, harmonious colors are effectively supported by two pairs of white lancet leaves, which give the piece a clear structure. A variety of small motifs in the field playfully adorn the ground. Through the differing sizes of similar motifs, they create an impression of optical depth.
In the dark blue border, we see highly abstracted red blossoms beside green leaves. In the upper right corner, there is a date, which is also shown twice, though somewhat less legibly, at the upper end of the field. The slightly muted yellow of the minor borders harmonizes perfectly with the camel-colored ground. A light blue abrash in the inner guard stripe enlivens the composition.