The small town of Heriz is the center of the weaving areas
in Azerbaijan, and has given its name to one of the most important Persian
provenances. Carpets from the town's workshops are of better quality than
those from the inaccessible mountain villages. The typical Heriz red and a
highly individual medallion are the main characteristics of these popular
carpets. Old and antique examples, in various blue tones, are occasionally
found in the trade and at auctions. Brown, beige and turquoise shades
indicate older pieces. Heriz silk carpets are exceptionally finely knotted
and are both rare and very beautiful. The designs of old Heriz rugs differ
radically from those of new pieces.
Sizes:
In general carpets are made in sizes of 6,12, and up to 20
sq. meters. Other formats are occasionally available, such as old and
antique wide Heriz runners, prayer rugs, etc.
Color:
Mostly the typical dark Heriz red, brown and beige. Blue
is used as contrast and contour colors. New pieces tend to be rather
inharmoniously colored. Old and antique Heriz carpets are sometimes found
in large formats and in wonderful blue and turquoise shades.
Patterns:
Center medallions are often richly decorated and have a
characteristic, rather rectangular shape. Filler motifs include
arabesques, palmettos and rosettes in colorful repeat. Also characteristic
are the square or rectangular corners in the field, often decorated with
arabesques.
Foundation:
Warps and wefts are of cotton, those of old and antique
pieces may also be of silk.
Knots:
Coarsely woven in the Turkish knot with up to 1000 knots
per sq. dm. Silk carpet are very finely woven.
Pile:
Good quality wool, clipped high. Silk piles are cut low.
Quality:
Mostly good to very good. It is worth learning to
distinguish the different qualities. Old and antique Heriz carpets belong
to the best carpets on the market.
Bakhshaish:
The carpets of Bakhshaish, a small village near Heriz, are
somewhat similar to the weavings of Heriz in color, format, design and
wool quality. Like the latter they are woven with the Turkish knot but the
handle is harder, particularly in the older pieces. As colorful, solidly
produced, furnishing carpets the quality varies from good to very good.
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