Heriz rugs are village rugs woven in a group of villages in the hills east of Tabriz, in north-west Iran. They are instantly recognizable by their bold, angular medallions and strong colors, and they are among the most durable rugs ever made. Antique Heriz rugs are prized by collectors and interior designers alike, and their geometric look sits as comfortably in a modern room as a traditional one.
| Origin | Heriz and nearby villages, East Azerbaijan province, north-west Iran |
|---|---|
| Tradition | Village rugs |
| Knot | Symmetric (Turkish) |
| Materials | Thick wool pile on a cotton foundation |
| Knotting | Coarse to medium |
| Typical design | Large angular medallion with bold corner pieces |
| Related names | Serapi, Bakhshaish, Gorevan, Mehriban, Ahar |
Where Heriz rugs come from
The Heriz weaving district lies in the hills between Tabriz and Mount Sabalan, roughly 40 miles east of Tabriz. It includes the town of Heriz and a cluster of surrounding villages, among them Bakhshaish, Gorevan, Mehriban and Ahar. Each has its own nuances, but they share a common style, and their rugs are sold together under the Heriz name. The nearby Karajeh area weaves smaller rugs in a related style.
The Heriz look
Heriz weavers traditionally worked without a drawn cartoon, translating the curving designs of city rugs into straight lines and sharp angles from memory. The result is the classic Heriz layout: a large, angular medallion, often star- or diamond-shaped, with pendants at each end, set on an open field, with large corner pieces that echo the medallion. Floral motifs become bold geometric shapes, and the border is usually a strong repeat of stylized palmettes and leaves.
The traditional palette is brick or rust red, deep navy, ivory and soft blues, often with touches of green and gold. Many older pieces show abrash, gentle changes of color across the rug from batches of hand-dyed wool. See Geometric vs. Curvilinear Designs.
Why Heriz rugs are so durable
Heriz rugs have a reputation as some of the toughest rugs made in Iran. Several things contribute:
- Thick, resilient wool. The local wool is coarse and springy, and holds up well to heavy use.
- A heavy, dense build. The knots are relatively large and packed tightly on a strong cotton foundation, giving a rug that is heavy and stiff.
- A sturdy pile. The pile is usually left a little longer than on city rugs, which gives more wool to wear before the foundation shows.
Many Heriz rugs that are a century old are still in daily use, which is why they are a favorite for living rooms, family rooms and dining rooms.
Serapi, Bakhshaish and Gorevan
You will often see these names alongside Heriz. They are trade terms rather than strict categories, and dealers use them a little differently:
- Serapi is used for the finest antique Heriz-district rugs, generally from the late 19th century, with lighter, softer colors, an open field and elegant drawing. Serapis are especially sought after.
- Bakhshaish is a village in the district that produced some of the earliest and most distinctive pieces, often with archaic designs, all-over patterns or boteh motifs.
- Gorevan is another village, and the name is often used for coarser, more geometric Heriz-type rugs.
How to recognize a Heriz rug
- Large, angular medallion with stepped edges, and big matching corner pieces.
- Symmetric knots on a cotton foundation, with fairly large knots visible on the back.
- A heavy, stiff feel when you pick up a corner.
- Brick red, navy and ivory as the dominant colors, often with abrash.
Sizes and formats
Heriz rugs are mostly woven in room sizes, from about 8 × 10 feet to 10 × 14 feet and larger, along with runners and some squarer formats. Small Heriz rugs exist but are less common; smaller rugs in a similar style often come from the Karajeh area.
