Antique Heriz 4 Toranj Persian Runner Rug

Handwoven using high quality handspun wool and natural dye in an iteration of the famous Toranj motif, Heriz rugs are from the village of the same name on the slopes of Mount Sabalan in northwest Persia.

These exceptional carpets are enduring and hard-wearing and can last for generations. 19th-century examples of such carpets are often found on sale by prestigious auction houses in the United States and Europe. Part of the reason for the toughness of Heriz carpets is that Mount Sabalan sits on a significant deposit of copper. Traces of copper in the drinking water of sheep produces high-quality wool that is far more resilient than wool from other areas.

Heriz carpet weavers often make them in geometric, bold patterns with a large exquisite medallion dominating the field. The stylistic decoration of the Heriz carpets is rather unique based on the “Lachak Toranj” composition, which is formed by the foliate curve-linear patterns. Typically, the carpet is woven from memory, without the map. It’s not surprising because since the beginning of the 16 century the artisans in Heriz have traditionally been making only this type of carpet.

Another fascinating point about the motifs of the Heriz carpet is that they are the one of few carpets in which real stories are a source of its motifs. In fact, all the motifs woven on the Heriz carpets are stories that ancestors turned into the language of art and woven on a carpet to be passed on to future generations.