Sarab Rug

Sarab Rug
Design of Sarab Rug (Rugman)
General information
Name	Sarab Rug
Original name	قالی سراب
Alternative name(s)	Sarab Carpet
Origin	Iran: East Azerbaijan
Category	City
Technical information
Dyeing method	Natural, synthetic

Sarab rugs originate from Sarab, located in northwestern Iran in Azerbaijan, is famous for good quality rug runners from 10’ to 20’ long and 3’ wide, in addition to doormat size rugs. Prior to 1813 Sarab and the whole greater Mount Savalan region including the rug producing areas of Heriz, Ahar, and Gorevan was known as the Khanate (an old fashion term for an administrative district or state) of Sarab. Although the rug runners can be very long lengths, the widths are limited to just under 4’ due to the fact that the old fashioned looms that are used are smaller in size in order to facilitate transportation. Sarab rugs are woven using both Persian and Turkish knots. Their quality is higher than the average rug runners and knot counts vary from 80 to 100 KPSI (knots per square inch).

Techniques and structures

Color and dyeing

The impact of the light colors is engaging and unique among all tribal weavinges.

Motifs and Designs

Sarab rug designs are geometric, with medallions in the shape of diamonds, pendants, and hexagons repeated along the length of the runner. Stylized Hook motifs sometimes edge the medallions, which bear influences from Asia Minor tribal weavers. Some field designs display -half and a quarter- medallion along the inner borders and in the corners. The medallions feature flower heads, leaves, and vines, and Herati (fish) pattern. A variety of tribal ornaments are also woven between the medallions throughout the field. Some of the older Sarab runners feature a spicial two-tone color effect in the background.
The bordeces in Sarab runners are narrow and consist for one, two, or three quared borders. The border designs have flower heads, leaves, vines, animals, and other tribal design elements. Reciprocal trefoil designs were made for the main or guard borders. Some Sarab runners have a beautiful, plain, camelcolor outer border with one, two, or several motifs of flower heads, shrubs, animals, birds, or human figures woven in a primitive style.

Bibliography

Abraham Levi Moheban, (2015), The Encyclopedia of Antique Carpets: Twenty-Five Centuries of Weaving, NewYork: Princeton Architectural Press.