Striking Antique Persian Kerman Rug with Cypress Tree Patterning, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: 1850
This magnificent antique Persian Kerman rug presents one of the most celebrated and historically significant designs in the entire Persian carpet canon: the allover cypress tree composition, in which rows of tall, elegant cypress forms alternate with smaller botanical elements across the field in a composition of extraordinary decorative power. The vast deep crimson-red field is populated with a dense, rhythmically organized arrangement of tall, slender blue cypress trees — rendered in multiple tones of blue-gray and teal — interspersed with flowering shrubs, small birds, and a continuous system of tiny botanical elements that fill every inch of the field with organic abundance. The cypresses, symbols of eternal life and paradise in the Persian garden tradition, create strong vertical accents against the warm red ground that give the composition a stately, almost architectural rhythm. The wide border carries a richly worked secondary botanical arabesque in warm ivory and gold with accents of blue and red, framing the field with appropriate grandeur. This rug also belongs to the refined workshop tradition of Kerman rugs, celebrated for intricate drawing, controlled ornament, and sophisticated color relationships.
The palette — deep crimson-red ground, blue-gray cypress trees, and warm gold botanical accents — is one of the most celebrated in Kerman production. The contrast between the warm red field and the cool blue cypresses creates a visual tension of great beauty, intensified by the warm ivory of the elaborate border. Buyers drawn to this stately design may also want to explore Persian rugs and antique rugs for similarly formal carpets with strong historical presence.
This large-format Kerman is a room-defining piece of the highest order. Its iconic cypress tree design, exceptional scale, and extraordinary density of detail place it among the most historically significant and visually compelling antique Persian rugs in any category. It belongs in a formal room of commensurate importance: a grand drawing room, a significant dining room, or a major reception space. To better understand the symbolism of cypress trees and related garden imagery in Persian carpets, read our guide to rug motifs and symbols.
Nazmiyal’s collection of antique Persian Kerman rugs encompasses the full range of this celebrated tradition, and this cypress-tree example — with its exceptional scale, depth of color, and historical design significance — is among the most important pieces in the group. If you need a different size or color, explore our custom rug service.
