Serapi – Northwest Persia

The finest 19th-century Serapis — and this is one of them, perfectly woven and in incomparably good condition — reflect a breathtaking level of originality and aesthetic balance. At the centre, a fascinating elongated medallion in red asserts a design entirely its own, while around it stylized flowers in camel, slate and saffron seem to float free of gravity. The main field, in iridescent indigo, is answered by an ivory border of grand serrated palmettes. Serapis were the aristocrats of the Heriz district, woven on commission for great houses; this one explains, at a glance, why collectors still compete for them.