Stunning Large Antique Persian Serapi Rug with Bold Geometric Motif, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: 1880
This stunning large antique Persian Serapi rug presents the bold, large-scale geometric medallion design of the Heriz district’s finest production in an exceptional and unusually colorful interpretation. The broad soft teal-blue field — a ground color of considerable rarity and distinction in Serapi production — carries a large, centrally placed geometric medallion composed of angular, stepped forms in vivid red, ivory, and dark navy, flanked by matching quarter-medallion spandrels in the four corners. The surrounding field is filled with large, freely drawn angular botanical elements — hooked leaves, serrated palmettes, and geometric vine forms — in warm terracotta-red, ivory, gold, and teal-green that fill the open ground with characteristic Serapi directness and vitality. A wide terracotta-red border carries a bold secondary geometric-botanical repeat with large individual motifs in multiple colors, framing the cool blue field with warm, saturated energy. This piece also belongs to the celebrated northwestern Persian tradition of Heriz, Serapi, and Bakshaish rugs, admired for architectural drawing, bold medallions, and enduring collector appeal.
The color combination — the distinctive teal-blue field against the warm red of the border and the polychrome botanical ornament — is among the most beautiful in the Serapi tradition. The cool, slightly muted quality of the blue ground makes the warm reds and golds of the botanical elements appear particularly vivid and luminous, a color relationship that improves with age as all tones settle into their final mellowed harmony. Buyers who appreciate this major carpet may also want to explore Persian rugs and antique rugs for similarly important room-size weavings with strong decorative authority.
A Serapi rug of this format, quality, and unusual colorway is among the most desirable categories in antique Persian carpet collecting. Its large size, bold geometric vocabulary, and distinctive teal ground suit the grandest of domestic interiors, where it serves as both decorative centerpiece and historical artifact of the highest order. For broader guidance on choosing a high-quality antique carpet and understanding what drives long-term value, read our ultimate guide to buying antique rugs.
Nazmiyal’s collection of antique Persian Serapi rugs is among the most carefully curated available. This teal-ground example — with its exceptional color, bold central medallion, and large format — is one of the most distinguished and collectible pieces in the group. If you need a different size or color, explore our custom rug service.
