Heriz rugs
Bold, geometric village rugs from northwest Iran, known for how well they wear.
Not sure about yours?Upload two photos and get a free report in about 15 seconds.Check my rugWhere they come from
Heriz rugs are woven in the town of Heris and the villages around it, in the province of East Azerbaijan, not far from Tabriz. The name describes a regional style, not the work of a single town.
Weaving in the area is old, but the Heriz rugs most people know date from the 19th century onward, when buyers in Europe and America created strong demand and Tabriz merchants traded them west.
How to recognize one
Most Heriz rugs have a large central medallion with stepped, angular edges, often with corner pieces and wide borders. Flowers and vines are drawn as straight lines and sharp angles rather than curves.
The usual colors are madder red, rust and brick, with dark indigo, ivory and touches of light blue and green. Older pieces soften as the colors mellow with age.
How they are made
Heriz rugs are hand-knotted with the symmetrical knot, also called the Turkish knot, on a cotton foundation. The pile is thick, firm wool.
They are not finely knotted by Persian standards. Their strength is the dense wool and the bold drawing, which makes them a common choice for living and dining rooms that see heavy use.
Serapi, Gorevan and Mehraban
Dealers use these names for rugs from the same region. Serapi usually means an older, finer Heriz with more open drawing and softer colors. Gorevan and Mehraban are used for heavier village pieces.
The trade does not use these names consistently, so treat them as descriptions, not guarantees. The age, condition and quality of a rug matter more than the label on it.
Quick answers
Are Heriz rugs good for high-traffic rooms?
Yes. Their thick wool and firm weave stand up to daily use, and they are known as some of the hardest-wearing Persian rugs.
How can I tell if a Heriz rug is handmade?
Look at the back. A hand-knotted Heriz shows every knot, with small irregularities, and the fringe is the end of the warp threads. Many machine-made copies use the same design, so the back tells you more than the front.
What is a Serapi rug?
Serapi is a trade name for older, finer rugs from the Heriz region, usually with a more open design and softer colors. It is not a separate town.
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