HERIZ

Heriz is a city situated in north-eastern Iran, in the vicinity of Tabriz. It is the proximity to this important rug-producing city that influenced the local artisans - mainly in the early 19th century and gave rise to this unique type of rug. Generally Heriz rugs are thick and full-bodied with relatively big knots and this makes them rank among the sturdiest of all Persian rugs. The patterns comes from the classic medallions of nearby Tabriz, but they are highly stylized and reinterpreted in a manner and colours that make them totally different from the Tabriz variety. The Heriz medallions are stylized stars which can extend to the borders. The field is decorated with jagged lines connect dentate leaves and rosettes. The colours revolve around earth tones: various shades of brown, deep reds, orange and a typical shade of pink that was originally obtained from madder. Heriz rugs are often very large ( 300x200 - 350x250 - 400x300 cm.), but to meet the demands of export markets they are also made in smaller sizes (150x100 - 200x150 cm).