Antique Persian Lori Rug With Geometric All-Over Medallions in Black and Red

Details

Description

Made with hand-knotted wool circa 1920-1930, this 7x10 antique Persian rug is a powerful exemplar of the Lori (Luri) weaving … Read more Made with hand-knotted wool circa 1920-1930, this 7x10 antique Persian rug is a powerful exemplar of the Lori (Luri) weaving tradition. Hailing from the nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of the Zagros Mountains, this piece serves as a rugged yet sophisticated bridge between ancient tribal symbolism and the timeless appeal of authentic ethnographic art.

On the Design:

This rug functions as a woven narrative of tribal life, where the geometric and the organic merge in a dense, rhythmic dance. The field is dominated by an inky midnight-black ground, providing a stark, dramatic stage for an all-over repeat of polygonal medallions and stylized floral motifs. Unlike the curvilinear elegance of urban Persian workshops, the Lori aesthetic is celebrated for its bold, rectilinear strength and visceral energy.

The palette is a rich, earthen symphony: deep terra-cotta reds, warm tans, and creamy ivories vibrate against the dark field, while a sophisticated cerulean blue border provides a cool, architectural frame. Within the border, stylized "birds-on-a-branch" or abstract botanical motifs move with a totemic grace, a hallmark of the Lori people’s connection to the natural world.

The structure is grounded by a heavy wool foundation and a lustrous, thick pile, reflecting the utilitarian origins of these rugs as warm hearth-pieces for mountain dwellings. It is a piece teeming with culture—a robust, floor covering that remains as deeply personal in its artistry as it is significant in Persian history.

Condition:

This antique Persian Lori rug is in good condition for its age and origin. See less