Afghan Fine Aryana Carpet with Serapi Design

This impressive handwoven carpet holds all the design heritage of antique Persian carpet vocabulary; particularly Serapi motifs and formats of dramatic geometricized palmettes and leaves. Rich colouring is found in this carpet's numerous motifs but like many of these outstanding modern Afghan interpretations it has a modern versatile colours with a grey field paired with a bluish-grey border background. 

What are the Colour Combinations and Typical Motifs in this Carpet?  

This carpet contains rich bold colours made with natural vegetable dyes with tones of amber, orange, teal-greens and blues, as well as highlights of light cream and deep blue outlining. The characteristic and typical motifs of Serapi rugs are multi-lobed small medallions with spacious design and pattern languages of floral geometrical devices. Palmette and flower rosettes are more angular and articulated. The leaves are a superb stylized feature. Find a traditional cloudband design in the main border with also an inclusion of stylized angular cream boteh motifs, another recognisble feature found in Serapi Carpets.

What is Serapi Design Carpet? 

Afghan Serapi design carpets are inspired by Antique Persian carpets that were woven from around the town of Heriz in the Azerbaijan region in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. They were know for their spellbinding powerful floral geometric designs and rich colours. Originally traded in the town of Serab ' 'Serapi' derives from trade names derived from meaning 'Of Serab'. Their recognsiable characteristics are the plethora of stylized botanical motifs. Here in this modern Afghan piece the magnificent design heritage of the vocabulary of antique Persian design can still be recognised; derived from many traditional motifs. 

How is this Carpet made?

A handwoven carpet of this size would be created on an roller upright loom with a number of weaver artisans. The wool is handspun and dyed with the use of natural vegetable dyes. The dyed yarn is used to to tie two warp threads together. The warp threads are made of cotton and are strung onto the loom. The weavers create the pile and pattern with their careful and skilled knotting. Between each row of knots  weft threads are woven across the width of the carpet. After the carpet is cut down from the loom, the weft threads are bound to make up the sides and the warp threads are bound at both ends to make up the fringes. The carpet is also washed and the pile cut to display the magnificent detailing and craftmanship. 

Key Details

• Country of Origin: Afghanistan
• Dimensions: 366 x 277cm / 12'0" x 9'1"
• Thickness: 9mm
• Pile: Wool
• Warp: Cotton
• Age: New