Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This is a hand-knotted wool area rug featuring a vibrant red field decorated with a dense, repeating geometric 'Mahi' (herati) style pattern. The design is framed by a classic multi-layered border with contrasting ivory, deep indigo, and soft blue accents, typical of the rustic yet highly durable weaving traditions of the Hamadan region.
Story
Woven in the ancient highlands of western Persia, this rug carries a design language passed down through generations of village weavers. Its intricate repeating pattern represents small fish swimming around water lilies, a traditional symbol of life and renewal. This domestic masterpiece was crafted not in a commercial factory, but on a simple wooden loom inside a family home.
Maker / Origin
Rather than a single named artist, this rug is the work of an individual weaver from the Hamadan region, one of the oldest continuously inhabited territories in the world. Hamadan weavers are celebrated for their highly individualized interpretations of classic geometric motifs, meaning no two rugs from this region are ever completely identical.
Condition & Value
The rug appears to be in very good vintage condition with a thick, even pile and vibrant colors. The fringe shows some minor, expected wear and shortening, but the selvedges (sides) look intact and secure. Regular professional cleaning and a quality pad will preserve its value and structure for decades.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.