The best and most beautiful Saruqs come from Arak. This opinion of carpet connoisseurs is probably true when applied to the export trade, but despite this, not only the name but also the town of Saruq, approximately 50 km north of Arak, has great significance for the carpet market. After a brief period during which the quality dropped, good carpets, and some of the very highest quality, are being exported all over the world, and especially to Europe and America. The importance of Saruq as a carpet center developed during the 19th century. There is no information about carpet weaving in the town in earlier periods.
Sizes:
All the usual formats are made, including specially large carpets and pieces on commission.
Color:
Beige, blue or red are used for the field, with yellows, green and rose shades for the designs.
Patterns:
Many different designs are used for modern Saruqs including those borrowed from other carpet centers, among them the Herati and Mir-i-Boteh patterns, medallion designs and various different floral and lattice patterns. Multiple borders and guard stripes often emphasize a narrow field.
Foundation:
Warps and wefts are of cotton.
Knots:
The Persian knot is used. Weaves are medium to extremely fine, up to 5,000 knots per sq. dm(320 per sq in.). A proportion of old and antique pieces are found in the Turkish knot.
Pile:
New Saruqs are made from excellent wool, cut medium high to high. Older pieces are often hard, woven in lustrous top quality wool, kurk wool, and cut very short to short.
Quality:
Saruq pieces belong to the best of Persian carpets, even the recent export products maintain a high value because of their excellent durability. Old and antique Saruqs are to be found for correspondingly high prices with leading carpet dealers and at auctions.
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