Stunning Oversized Antique Floral Persian Khorassan Rug, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: 1900
This oversized antique Persian Khorassan rug originates from the vast northeastern province of Khorasan, an important weaving region that produced large-format pile rugs with a distinctive character: curvilinear floral drawing, warm ivory or camel fields, and a palette built around soft terracotta, dusty rose, and muted teal. Khorassan rugs sit in an interesting position between the more rigorously organized city workshop rugs of Isfahan and Kashan and the freer, more open compositions of the western Persian workshops. This rug also belongs to the refined tradition of Khorassan rugs, known for large scale, mature palettes, and quietly elegant Persian floral drawing.
This piece presents a large, open ivory-to-warm-cream field covered in an intricate but airy curvilinear floral arabesque. Scrolling vines bearing large palmettes, full-blown roses, and smaller blossom heads in soft terracotta, salmon pink, and pale blue create a delicate all-over pattern without a central medallion, giving the composition a light and flowing quality. The faded, time-softened palette — warm cream, dusty rose, and muted sage — reflects the natural aging of high-quality wool dyed with traditional vegetable dyes, a characteristic that many collectors specifically prize. The wide border is composed of a scrolling floral vine on a warm ground, framed by narrow guard stripes in terracotta and ivory. Buyers drawn to its subtle tonal beauty may also want to explore Kerman rugs and Kashan rugs for similarly refined Persian workshop traditions.
The large, open format and muted palette make this rug exceptionally versatile in contemporary interior settings. It works naturally with pale, neutral rooms, warm linen and cotton textiles, natural wood furniture, and any setting where a large expanse of gentle pattern and warmth is desired without strong color contrast. For help coordinating a rug of this size and palette with the rest of a room, read our guide to choosing an area rug color.
Oversized antique Khorassan rugs with well-preserved floral drawing and this quality of color fading are sought-after collector pieces. At this scale and with this level of compositional refinement, the rug represents a significant acquisition for a collector or for a designer working on a major residential project. If you need a different size or color, explore our custom rug service.
