Antique Karadag Runner

Period: 19th Century
Origin: Karadag
Dimensions: 110 x 352 cm

This rare 19th century Persian Karadag runner highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a vertical sequence of eight monumental, multi-colored medallions anchored within a saturated midnight indigo field. This structural balance between the large-scale, “stepped” and “hooked” medallions—alternating between shield-like octagons and diamond forms—reflects the pinnacle of the Karadag weaving tradition from the mountainous regions of Northwest Persia. Karadag runners of this antiquity are world-renowned for their graphic energy and a technical style that masterfully bridges the aesthetic gap between Persian village weaving and Caucasian tribal design.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary midnight indigo ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of madder red, ivory, and golden saffron. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 140 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest 19th-century Karadag productions. The inclusion of a wide, multi-layered border system—anchored by a primary madder red border decorated with a rhythmic sequence of geometric floral rosettes and serrated “leaf and wine glass” motifs—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior wool quality and distinctive technical finesse of the weavers.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun local wool with a characteristically resilient pile and a firm, substantial handle. The exceptional clarity of the angular outlines—specifically the internal geometric hooks within each medallion and the small, stylized zoomorphic figures scattered throughout the field—and the presence of significant, harmonious abrash throughout the indigo and red sections definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this Karadag runner stands as a premier example of Northwest Persian art, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1378

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