Scarlet Tabriz Rug
This scarlet Tabriz rug is a hand knotted wool rug made in Iran, measuring 310 x 200 cm. That is about 6.2 square metres of clear red field, framed by a deep navy border and cream guard bands. It is a size that suits a living room, a bedroom or a long dining room.
The design up close
The field is a saturated, even red. A blue medallion with a scalloped edge enters the pattern at the upper left, with cream and rust petals curling inside it. Small flower sprays in cream, blue and olive green are scattered across the red around it.
In the corner, a navy spandrel carries olive, blue and orange flowers and a green leaf shape with small blue blossoms in it. This corner piece links the red field to the border and repeats the navy of the outer frame.
The wide navy border is worked with large lobed palmettes in red, cream and blue, joined by vines that carry orange, gold, blue and brown flowers. A cream band with a small floral repeat runs on each side of the navy, and thin striped guards in red, blue and cream finish the edge. A short fringe shows at the end of the rug.
About Tabriz rugs
Tabriz, in north-west Iran, has been a centre of rug weaving for centuries. Its workshops are known for fine knotting and a wide range of designs, from classic central medallions to all-over floral patterns. Since the middle of the 19th century, Tabriz weavers have tied the symmetrical knot, often with a small hooked knife, which gives a firm, even surface.
How a scarlet Tabriz rug is made
A scarlet Tabriz rug is hand knotted. Each knot is tied by hand on a loom, row after row, and the pile is then trimmed level. The pile here is wool, and it is dense enough to stand up to a busy room. Because every knot is tied by hand, the rows carry small differences in spacing and tone, which is how handwork shows.
Colour in your room
A strong red like this sets the colour for a room. Cream or warm white walls, timber floors and navy, grey or tan furniture all sit well with it, and the navy border keeps the red from feeling heavy.
Sizing it for your room
At 310 x 200 cm, this scarlet Tabriz rug covers about 6.2 square metres. In a living room, a three-seat sofa of about 2.2 m leaves 45 cm of rug showing past each end, so the sofa and a coffee table can sit comfortably on it.
Under a queen bed 153 cm wide it leaves 23.5 cm each side. Under a dining table of 180 x 90 cm, which seats six, it leaves 65 cm at each end and 55 cm along each side, enough for chairs to slide back and stay on the rug.
Looking after your rug
Vacuum it on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn it around every six to twelve months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly. Blot spills with a clean white cloth and cold water rather than rubbing them in. When it needs a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Put a good underlay beneath it. It stops the rug sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, such as the part of a rug under a sofa, so vacuum those areas often and lift the furniture now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm, to see this scarlet Tabriz rug in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book a home trial and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Traditional rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Tabriz rugs.
