Hello Owen, I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal, Considering the photographs, overall pattern, knot density and the colours, I concluded that this is an Entirely Hand Knotted Persian Soumak Kilim. The piece likely dates back to the period from 1960 to 1980. Soumak Kilims are not rugs but kilims, which are a different type of floor weaving knotted in a differetn style with less frequent and orderly knots. Your piec is a classically designed Soumak piece with animal motifs through the pattern. Animals are the traditinal and main subject of Soumak Kilims. The piece is a runner, which means it was made for a hallway or a narrow and long floor area. The piece's central area was decorated with three different medallions. The medallion on the middle is considered a cetral medallion since it was decorated on a more lavish colour than the other medallions, this colour is an Orange tone. Inner pattern of the central medallion is also characterized by a lion, which is the symbol of Persia. The other medallion on both sides were decorated with deers, birds, falcons and wolves. Central decoration is knotted on a white-ivory base while the borders were decorated on a dark red base. The borders are geometrically constructed with use of floral motifs. The piece is likely wool on cotton. This means the pile was made of wool while the foundation was made of cotton. Some Soumaks also have silk mixture to their foundations or their piles. The piece is in good condition with small signes of use and age. Entirely hand knotted. Dimensions: 38 Inches by 106 Inches Condition: The piece is in good condition with small signes of use and age. Provenance: Purchased from an Open Air Market in Saudi Arabia in 1990's. Heavily decorated by traditional Tabriz patterns. 400-700$. Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.
