Malayer – Northwest Persia

This Malayer is an exceptionally long and narrow rug, and an essay in elegant restraint. Its ground is an expanse of open camel — rare in Persian weaving — scattered with only the most discreet devices, so that the light colours enlarge the room around them and create an immediate sense of spaciousness. A small indigo medallion and slender ivory zigzag frames provide just enough incident; the borders carry quiet rosettes on ivory. Refined enough for classic interiors, minimal enough for contemporary ones: the neutral background welcomes both, which is precisely why decorators hunt for camel-ground Malayers.

The open camel field is rare and highly sought after, and the near-4.5-metre length places the piece in the scarcity range of antique runners.