Origin and Weaving Tradition

The name Sarouk (also Saruk, Sarough) belongs to a weaving tradition of Persia centred on the western province of Arak, the historic Sultanabad region, which also gave its name to the related Mahal, Mohajeran and Ferahan weaves. From around 1900 to 1940 a group of Sarouks was knotted expressly for the American market: the so-called American Sarouk, with a palette of rust, deep red and indigo and a dense floral drawing. From the 1970s onward many of these pieces were exported back from the United States to Europe, where they are traded as re-imports.

This carpet is one of them — an antique piece, hand-knotted around 1925–1935, returned from the U.S. It is a room-size Sarouk.

Design and Colour

At the centre of the rose-red field sits a medallion with cusped, scrolling edges, answered by floral cornerpieces in the spandrels. The field is filled edge to edge with detached floral sprays and palmettes in the classic Sarouk manner. An indigo border of turning vines and flowerheads frames the composition, with an ivory outer guard of red vinework. The palette moves between rose-red and rust, indigo and navy, ivory and cream, with accents of rose, soft green and pale blue in the flowers.

Material and Weave

The pile is 100 % wool on a foundation of warp and weft in 100 % cotton; as is typical of old Sarouks, the weave shows the characteristic blue weft. The carpet is hand-knotted throughout with the Persian (asymmetric) knot.

Condition

The carpet has largely full pile across the field, with slightly lower pile in places along the edges and two small, professional restorations. It shows an even, age-related patina; the signs of use are part of its history.

Presence in the Room

At 265 × 360 cm (8.7 × 11.8 ft, 9.54 m²) this is a large, room-size format, a 9 × 12 ft size. Three settings in which it works well:

• Living room: large enough to carry a full seating group, with sofa and chairs resting on the rug.
• Dining room: room for a table of eight to ten with the chairs pulled out.
• Classic interiors: the rose-red ground and indigo borders suit panelled rooms, period houses and large entrance halls.

In London, this is a rug for the double drawing room of a Victorian house in Islington or Highbury, where the rose-red ground warms tall rooms with high ceilings — and it reaches London within 2–7 working days.

Specifications

Djoharian — Since 1967

Our family business was founded in 1967, with roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran. Djoharian is also a Label STEP certified dealer (applies to new production). We have been a 1stDibs Recognized Dealer since 2013.

Service and Delivery

Every piece is inspected and professionally washed in our atelier in Lohr am Main. Insured worldwide shipping; personal consultation in our showroom or by video call. For later care, see our rug cleaning and restoration service. We also make bespoke rugs in your own size and colours.