Vintage Persian Gabbeh Animal Figure and Checkered Rug, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: Vintage
Two different rugs, joined end to end. Most of the field is open ivory ground, drifting through bands of oatmeal and tan as it climbs, carrying small four-legged animals in coral, brown and olive, three to a row and each drawn a little differently from its neighbour. A band across the foot abandons them for a checkerboard in brown, red, cream and olive.
Nothing prepares you for the switch, and no drawn cartoon would have allowed it. A row of small coloured blocks caps the top edge, which at least rhymes with the checkerboard at the foot — but the animals in between belong to another idea entirely, and the rug is better for the argument.
At 2 ft by 4 ft 2 in this is among the smallest of the small rugs, narrow enough for a galley kitchen or the side of a bed. Price is available on request, and either half of the idea can be taken to a larger size as a custom rug.
