Antique Tabriz Persian Rug 3435

Antique Tabriz Rug, Persia, circa 1900 - At first glance this richly patterned antique Tabriz looks like a runner, until the repeated variations in its design come to our attention. In the top half it has a swirling arabesque design, while in the lower part it appears to be a series superimposed borders. In reality this is a wagireh or sampler, a pattern anthology that could be used to generate the production of carpets with various designs. Yet its unity of texture and coloration, as well its enclosure by several borders shows nonetheless that it is also a runner in its own right after all, if we are willing to enjoy its ever-changing pattern.