3'4" x 4'10" Persian Hamedan Rug | 3 Stacked Medallions | Ivory Tribal Field | Red Border
Small rugs are where village weavers often have the most fun, and this 3'4" x 4'10" Hamedan is full of personality: 3 stacked medallions, a field of little birds and animals, and a bright red frame. It is hand-knotted in natural wool on a cotton foundation at approximately 180 to 220 knots per square inch and has never been used. Among 3x5 Persian rugs it is a practical, cheerful choice for an entry, beside a bed, in front of a fireplace or anywhere a room needs a spot of color. The original import label is still sewn to the back, and the rug ships with a certificate of authenticity recording origin, materials and knot count.
Design and Motifs
Three hexagonal medallions run down the center, linked tip to tip. The 2 outer ones are red with purple and blue cross shaped centers, and the middle one is brown with a pink cross, so the column alternates warm and earthy tones. Around them the ivory field is scattered with small tribal motifs: birds, dogs, combs, stars and stepped figures, each drawn freehand in the village tradition. The field takes the shape of a large lozenge outlined in lavender, and the brown corners outside it hold small trees and more birds. The border system is built from a red main band of small flowerheads, framed by lavender guard stripes and a reciprocal stripe pattern, finished by a red outer band and white fringe at both ends.
Red, Ivory, Brown and Purple
The palette is warm and lively. The ivory and beige field gives the rug a light center, which lets the small tribal motifs in red, purple, dark green and orange stand out clearly. The red medallions and red border are the strongest color, a clear, bright red with a rose cast in places. The brown center medallion and brown corners bring in an earthy note that balances all that red. Dark purple and lavender run through the medallion centers, the field outline and the guard stripes, which is a less common color in Persian rugs and gives this piece its own character. Touches of pink, navy and gray in the small details complete the mix. It is a happy, informal color scheme that suits cottages, country kitchens, boho rooms and children's rooms as easily as a traditional entry.
Village Rugs of Hamedan
Hamedan is one of the oldest cities in western Persia, and the hundreds of villages around it make up one of the country's largest rug weaving regions. Hamedan village rugs are known for bold geometric designs, cheerful color and an honest, sturdy build, usually on a cotton foundation with a firm wool pile. Each village has its own patterns, and many weavers work from memory rather than from paper designs, which is why small details such as the birds and animals in this field vary from rug to rug. This piece is a good example of that tradition, knotted at 180 to 220 knots per square inch for durability, and with its unused pile and original label it is ready to bring village character to a home for many years.
