Sold as a matched pair. Two antique Bakshaish hallway runners from northwest Persia, circa 1880, each measuring 3’6″ x 14’2″ (42 x 170 inches). The price is for both runners.
Antique Bakshaish Pair of Hallway Runner Wool Rugs, 3’6″ x 14’2″ Each, Country of Origin: Iran / Persia, Circa Date: 1880s. This exceptional example of a late 19th-century Bakshaish piece showcases the robust, highly stylized aesthetic typical of the region. Its construction and palette speak to the enduring quality of antique rugs from this period.
The field features a complex, repeating allover design composed of large, stylized palmettes and geometric medallions rendered in a striking array of madder red, dusty rose, and deep indigo. The density of the pattern, set against a subtly aged ivory ground, creates a visual rhythm that is both tribal and highly sophisticated.
As a finely proportioned hallway runner rug, this piece is perfectly suited for traversing long corridors or entryways, bringing warmth and historical depth to transitional spaces. The wool’s natural lanolin content has ensured a remarkable preservation of the pile and color saturation over the past 140 years.
Bakshaish weaving, originating in the mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, represents a significant branch of the greater tradition of Iranian / Persian rugs. This runner stands as a testament to the skill of nomadic and village weavers who utilized natural dyes to achieve a palette of unmatched depth and longevity.