The term ‘Serapi’ refers to a sought-after subgroup of Heriz carpets, handwoven in Northwest Persia. These pieces are celebrated for their superior-quality weaves and more restrained, elegant designs. Valued for their charming naivety, fine craftsmanship, and rich vegetable-dyed colours. Their bold tribal motifs have a unique visual appeal, allowing them to bridge both traditional and contemporary interior styles.

This outstanding example, dating to circa 1870, features an exceptionally fine weave, high-quality hand-spun wool, and a broad palette of earthy vegetable dyes, which together provide a crisp precision to the drawing and a subtlety to the colours. Unusually, this carpet presents a rare muted tan-coloured central medallion, set against an ivory ground and flanked by ivory spandrels, accented in cornflower blues and contained within a wide border.

Retained in very good practical condition for everyday use, this 19th-century Serapi carpet has undergone some minor age-related restoration, carried out to an excellent standard. Importantly, it still retains its original outer borders on all sides, and its organic dyes have developed a fine, mellow patina over time.

A sophisticated piece with a quiet tribal character, offering both rarity and decorative versatility – one of the most striking examples of its kind to have entered our collection in recent years.