This rug is a rare pre-1900s piece that dances between tribal spontaneity and refined balance. A mesmerizing textile from the tribal looms of northwest Persia, this antique rug features a dense field of boteh motifs - the early precursor to the paisley form - rendered in soft camel, indigo, and ivory against a terracotta ground. Each boteh is meticulously drawn with subtle variation, their curling tails and serrated edges offering a rhythmic visual cadence. The repeated boteh motif is often thought to symbolize life force, fertility, or eternal flame and holds visual and spiritual weight, especially in this emotionally saturated composition. Whether layered over tile or wood, it invites intimacy and reverence. The corner spandrels dissolve into intricate symbolic motifs, while the narrow borders wrap the central field with deep navy and ochre zigzag work, all evoking protection and continuity. Its tactile presence is softened by generations of wear, revealing the luminous abrash and story-laden patina only possible with hand-dyed wool and age.

✓ Region of Origin: Northwest Persia
✓ Construction: Hand-knotted wool
✓ Dyes: Natural dyes with visible abrash and indigo oxidation
✓ Pile: Low pile with evident wear and a beautifully aged patina
✓ Allergy-Friendly: Wool’s natural lanolin resists dust and microbes

Specifications
Dimensions: 3'2" x 5'10" / 97 cm x 178 cm
Age: Circa 1870s–1890s
Style: Tribal with allover boteh (paisley) motif and geometric spandrels
Condition: Worn with threadbare areas, minor scattered repairs, and intact sides. One of the top corners has minimal loss. Structurally stable with supple handle.
Shape: Rectangle
Suitable Spaces: Entryways, reading nooks, under a coffee table, layering with larger neutrals

Care Instructions
Vacuum lightly without beater bar; rotate seasonally; avoid prolonged direct sunlight; professional hand-wash every 3–5 years; rug pad recommended.

Provenance & Notes
U.S.-held vintage/antique inventory. Attribution based on the tightly packed boteh field, blue-ground guard borders, and corrosion typical of northwest Persian tribal weaving traditions. An excellent example of late 19th-century craftsmanship where form and utility merge. Authenticity guaranteed.