4 x 6 Antique Tabriz Rug, Northwest Persia, Circa 1880
An extraordinarily beautiful antique Tabriz rug. This piece, which has all the hallmarks of being an early example, circa 1880, is signed “Nac Javan”. The navy blue field is decorated with three salmon color medallions and vines with large flowers. An ivory border frames the field.
As is the case with Fereghan Sarouk and Mohtasham Kashan rugs from the early stages of the Persian Carpet Revival Period in the second half of the 19th century, this Tabriz reflects the great use of open space and the rectilinear articulation of floral motifs that characterize the first generation of rugs. I consider this rug to be a masterpiece, and that is a word I rarely use.
