Heriz rugs

Persian Village Weaving Tradition
Azerbaijan District, Northwest Persia

With distinctive large-scale motifs and a wide ranging palette of warm colors, the Heriz carpet is probably the most popular of the Persian village carpets. In constant, increasing demand for the past decade, the finer old pieces have become scarce and have risen significantly in value and esteem.

These carpets are named after the largest town in a district of over 30 villages, in the mountainous area of Northwest Persia, 50 miles east of Tabriz. The inception of the classic "diamond on a square" medallion Heriz was probably in the third quarter of the nineteenth century. It is believed that enterprising Tabriz merchants, wanting roomsize carpets for export, showed local weavers the fine city rugs or maybe even scraps of fabric and asked them to weave large carpets. The weavers, skilled in the more spontaneous and angular weaving of tribal origin, adapted these designs. The result, the Heriz carpet, is a marvelously effective hybrid, a rustic, charming village carpet with a richness and grandeur equal to the Persian court pieces.

The virtues of the Heriz carpets are found in their design style and color. The signature of a Heriz is the large medallion with overscale cornerpieces filled with angular oak leaves and foliage, at once bold and captivating. Older Heriz carpets, echoing the famous Serapi carpets from the same district, tend to be more spacious in design, while the pieces woven in the last 60 years tend to be more dense;ly designed. Other formats more rarely seen include allover flower or leaf designs and occasionally a "Tree of Life" motif reminiscent of some Caucasian rugs.

Once asked how she chose the colors to be used for her rug, a Heriz weaver pointed at the sunset that was just occurring. Certainly, the Heriz rug makers were consummate masters of vegetable dyeing. While the pieces of the last 20-40 years are often chemically dyed, with the best using a mixture of natural and chemical, older Herizes tend to have been made with pure vegetable dyes. These have mellowed and attained a wonderful patina with age. The technique of abrash, or intentional variation within one color tone, is masterfully used in the finest Heriz carpets. The well-developed technique of double or even triple outlining, which also distinguishes the best Herizes, creates remarkable strength and depth of color and design.

The better semi-antique and antique Herizes used the lustrous wool from the Shahsavan, a nomadic tribe residing in the nearby Elbrus Mountains. Later, wool was imported from Tabriz, but it was always top quality and high in lanolin. They are quite loosely knotted, but employ a thick, sturdy cotton foundation with tightly packed knots, making for their well-known durability.

In home design, Heriz carpets are beloved for their versatility. Their geometry complements modern furnishings and their warm colors and artistic depth enhance antiques of all kinds. Their richness of color and strength of design make them a common choice for corporate settings as well. Exemplary Herizes make an excellent investment carpet because of their artistic individuality and enduring appeal.