c1960s ANTIQUE FLORAL PERSIAN SAROUK RUNNER 3.4x6.10
SAROUK (also known as SARUQ and SAROUGH) is a village around 50 km north of Arak in the Markasi Providence in central Iran. The main thing most impressive about Sarouk it its weaving industry. Sarouk weaves not only extremely impressive artwork but a mass quantity as well. Pieces are produced not only on village looms but also workshop or city looms. Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets are characterized by both curvilinear and geometric patterns and come in both traditional and American styles. The traditional designs consist of Herati, boteh, or gul hannai motifs in either an all-over or medallion layout. The medallion layout could have a hexagonal, oval, diamond, round, or angular floral shape. The most interesting traditional design is a medallion-and-corner layout which consists of geometric yet very naturalistic floral motifs. Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets are very famous, however, it is not easy to determine true Sarouks (Saruqs) from those of neighboring villages and cities. Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets are of excellent quality. Antique (1900) Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets are of extremely high quality and are collected by museums and private collectors. After WWII, the quality Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets were dropped for a brief period. Now some of these carpets, which are of the very highest quality are being exported all over the world, especially to Europe and America. Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets come in different sizes, but the majority of them are mid-sized ranging with dimensions from 4x6 to 8x10 feet. The main colors used in the traditional designs are reds, blues, dark oranges, and beiges. The main colors used in American Sarouk(Saruq) rugs and carpets are rich reds and blues. Sometimes the motifs are outlined with a lighter red, light yellow, or turquoise to create contrast between the background and the motifs, especially in the case of open field designs. An intense salmon pink called dughi pink is typical of American Saruks; this color is obtained by adding yogurt or curdled milk to the dye mixture. Other colors such as soft green, blue, and brown are found in newer carpets. New Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets are made from excellent wool, cut medium high to high. Older pieces are often hard, woven in lustrous top quality wool, kork (baby lamb's wool), and cut very short to short. The warps of the foundation are mostly cotton; the wefts are also cotton. Weavers in Sarouk(Saruk) use Persian knots. In antique Sarouk (Saruq) rugs and carpets, you can also find Turkish knots. Sarouk(Saruq) rugs and carpets are highly prized among collectors and are very valuable. As you can see, they are not only well constructed they are unique in color and here in design. No wonder there are pieces made to suit American needs.
