Image Carpets

Antique Serapi Rug – 230602

The term “Serapi” has been given to those Heriz carpets of the c. 1900 period with generous, uncluttered drawing and a finer weave than the usual Heriz productions. A blue submedallion is enclosed by an ivory eight point medallion with enormous medium blue palmette pendants, all on a saturated red madder ground. The stepped ivory corners feature sky blue motives in quarter medallion style. The salmon main border with skeletal turtle palmette elements is a classic antique “Serapi” pattern. The overall drawing tends to the geometric without being wholly abstract.Flowers, leaves, branches and vines are still recognisable, but ephemeral ornament has been removed, concentrating on the essential patterns. Antique “Serapi” style Heriz carpets were woven for only a short period, no more than a decade and by 1900 there predominant trends were heading elsewhere. This very attractively coloured, powerfully drawn carpet comes from the best antique period, around 1895 or so, and works impressively well with virtually any decor, from early American to classic English to absolutely contemporary.