Heriz Serapi rugs are among the most recognizable rugs of Iran because of their distinctive monumental designs and the expressive power of their angular drawing. They tend to have strong medallion designs accented through the use of color, but allover Heriz and Serapi rugs are not uncommon. Herizes / Serapis rely on floral patterns with strap-work vines and grand palmettes with zig-zag contouring. Where other Persian Rugs would utilize a curved form, Antique Heriz and Serapi carpets will apply series of angular twists and turns, imparting an emphatic geometry to the design. Heriz Serapi Rugs have glorious color, with rich reds, blues, greens, and yellows resonating against ivory. Much of the formal vocabulary, drawing, and color sensibility of Antique Heriz Serapi Rugs is traceable to the classical antique Caucasian rugs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Since the Heriz / Serapi region of northern Iran is not far from the Caucasus, it is not surprising that Heriz and Serapi carpets have preserved so much of the Classical Caucasian tradition. Some antique Heriz rugs and antique Serapi carpets, however, especially those produced in silk, display a different drawing and design vocabulary linked to other types of Persian carpet. They are identified as Heriz rugs primarily by their weave.
Just west of Tabriz lies the village of Heriz, located in the Iranian part of Azerbaijan. Heriz carpets are mostly distinguished by their rectilinear designs, a departure from the traditional arabesques and scrolls typical of Persian manufactory. A large central stepped medallion with corners or an allover design of highly stylized floral motifs is quite typical. Repeating patterns are less common. The pile is thick and heavy and the color palette is rich and varied. Older Heriz rugs had madder grounds and medallions mostly of indigo. The finer antique rugs use the technique “double outlining”, where the design of the rug is separated from the field by two lines in different colors. This design element sets the gold standard for the best Heriz designs.
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30 Rugs Found in Heriz-Serapi Rug
This magnificent antique silk Heriz has an allover pattern of split calyx arabesques.
At the center of the rich red field a cruciform medallion in blue-black and ivory floats freely with a lavish interior embellishment of sinuous vines. Undulating blue-green cornerpieces fill out the field with elaborate arabesque detail.
Angular vinescrolls featuring branching floral sprays and softly oxidized colors decorate the luxurious brick red field of this antique Persian rug from Heriz.
This sumptuously elegant antique Serapi carpet from Persia has an allover Mina Khani pattern surrounding a small central quatrefoil medallion.
This stunning antique rug from Heriz features an astounding array of ancient protection symbols and decorative influences imported from the neighboring Caucasus.
This Serapi carpet is an excellent example of the Heriz medallion and the locally-preferred color scheme, including coppery reds and the classic Persian blue.
This splendid antique Serapi has an allover floral pattern of classical Persian inspiration.
The bold dynamic drawing and exquisite use of color in this carpet are classically Heriz.
This elegant all silk antique Oriental Heriz carpet from Persia has a delicate filigree design of oval medallions and eight-pointed stars and a beautiful vine scroll border.
Featuring an elegant all-over pattern over a subtle ivory field, this classic Heriz carpet incorporates strong geometric patterns in a highly decorative format.
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