Serapi rugs from Iran's Heriz region give us beautiful designs, vibrant colors, and durability, reflecting Persian artistry and making them timeless focal points in any home.
Serapi rugs, originating from the Heriz region in northwest Iran, embody a rich tapestry of history, culture, and art. These rugs are renowned for their geometric designs, vibrant colors, and durability. Steeped in tradition, Serapi rugs offer more than just a nice rug; they are a testament to the craftsmanship and a legacy of Persian artistry.
The Heriz region, where Serapi rugs are crafted, has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality carpets. This area, located near the base of Mount Sabalan, has been a hub of rug-making for centuries. The Serapi can also be referred to as an Heriz rug.
What is a Serapi rug?
Serapi are recognized for their distinct traits that set them apart from other Persian carpets. The design elements of Serapi rugs are celebrated for their large-scale, geometric designs. What makes these rugs different from other antique Persian rugs, is that the Serapi designs are bold and angular, whereas more traditional Persian is more intricate and curvilinear.
But even with these antique floor coverings, the central medallions are a common feature. With Serapi, the medallion often dominates the composition, surrounded by bold geometric motifs such as leaves, flowers, and palmettes. These motifs are not only for decorative purposes, but carry symbolic meanings, reflecting aspects of Persian culture and mythology.
The layout of Serapi rugs is precisely planned and the weavers use a series of repetitive motifs to create a harmonious and balanced design. The use of symmetry and proportion is noticeable which results in a visually striking rug that draws attention in any room!
Vibrant colors and Masterful Weaving
One of the identifying features of Separi is their vibrant colors. Truly an interior designer's dream! Traditional Serapi rugs are characterized by deep reds and blues, with occasional touches of greens, yellows, and different earth tones.
The dyes are usually from natural sources; plants, insects, and minerals. This not only makes the colors divine but also ensures that the colors will age gracefully over time. The colors develop a patina as time goes on, which adds to the charm.
The process of dying the wool is an art in itself! Skilled artisans carefully select and blend the colors to get the perfect desired shade. When it comes to weaving, they use the technique called the Turkish or symmetrical knot, which contributes to the rug's strength and resilience. The wool is often sourced from local sheep, and because of the high-quality wool the rug results in a durable product, with a beautiful luster.
Mansour’s Serapi
This traditional hand-woven Persian Serapi rug has a shaded coral red field of geometric palmette vines, with an indigo medallion beautifully woven in the center. Placed in a room with light colored walls, a darker carpet can make the space feel more grounded and intimate. Picture this in a grand bedroom, with large windows and airy fresh feeling, the morning sun shining in, and this beautiful rug covering the floor by the bed to create a sense of coziness.
Serapi North West Persia Late 19th Century
This absolutely stunning rug, antique from North West persia in late 19th century is an extremely fine, unusual piece. The central coral medallion, surrounded by a different shaded blue field and framed by a serrated leaf vine border. The exquisite design is what makes this piece so unique. A carpet like this one should be in a room where it’s well noticed and appreciated - such as a living room or social area. To keep the focus on the rug, try and decorate in more neutral colors, and not too large sized furniture. By doing so, you will make this masterpiece the centerpiece, and tie the room together without feeling overpowering or disorganized.
Serapi North West Persia Late 19th Century
An antique Serapi like this will be elegant in any room, but with these color tones it would look beautiful in a dining room. By pulling inspiration from the rug, decorate after its pattern and build the color palette in the room using the rug as a foundation. This rug goes in rusty red, but cooler details of blue and ivory, makes it more neutral. To keep the rug the focal point, decorate with a classic table in light wood and the window treatments in natural unbleached linen, for a classic and timeless aesthetic. Ivory is also more rare to find in Serapi, which makes this rug even more special.
Serapi North West Persia Late 19th Century
This very large rug shines light on the Serapi characteristic, the grand medallion, containing bold polychrome angular flowers and floral vines. Since this is a large scale rug, it is suitable for the biggest room in your home. You can follow the rule of keeping the room spacious and uncluttered, and using the rug to ground the room. Or we make this space more uniquely mysterious! Think deep blues, emerald green, rich reds and vibrant purples. A vintage burgundy red velvet couch and a mid-century side table, decorated with a large, blue glass vase. Your options are endless!
Serapi North West Persia Late 19th Century