Serapi 10x15

Born in the rugged mountains of Northwest Persia, Serapi rugs are distinctive of the Heriz style with fine knotting and spacious designs of a larger scale than its predecessors. Some of the rarest and most sought-after decorative Persian rugs originated in the 19th-century Serapi tradition. The early American White House even displayed a Serapi rug, introducing its interest as a fine decor choice in homes and federal institutions.

The remoteness of Serab presented its own set of challenges which includes marketing the style to a wider audience. Because the rugs were taken to weavers in Serab and sold in markets, the Serapi is not named after its village or tribe of origin as with other Persian rugs. Serapi rugs incorporated elements from a variety of weaving traditions such as bold geometric designs, undoubtedly an influence of caucasian tribal traditions. Because the Serapi is seldom seen after the early twentieth century, they are considered rare and far more collectible than other rugs produced in the area during the same time. This particular Serapi is a perfect example of the merging of the caucasian tribal geometric influence with the traditional Persian methods. The elongated central diamond shape and the four-sided medallion bring simple bold beauty to a rare design motif.