Unusual Bijar wagireh (sampler) Unusual Bijar wagireh (sampler)Both weave and design point to the Bijar area, west Persia. Cotton foundation (early 20th c.?) and good, mostly natural dyes.
The sampler shows twice a quarter medallion which supposedly would both fill the centre of the rug, with medallion pendants attached (the downward-pointing one is depicted separately), and also in the corners of the rug. The outer blue-ground area of the medallion shows rose blossoms (a European, French Aubusson, influence). In addition, the sampler includes a quarter of an eight-pointed star medallion in the lower right, which might serve as medallion alternative in smaller rugs.
There is a segment of the herati pattern centre bottom which could presumaby fill up the field around the central medallion which would serve as an all-over pattern repeat if the maedallion is not rendered on a plain ground (? not sure how that would look like).
Then, there are various borders: The Herati or 'samovar' main border at the bottom, which may also be called alternating palmette scroll, or palmette-rosette border; another bit of border on ivory ground set within the rose-coloured field at the top, which may depict pomegranates or roses (it resembles the pomegrante design also found in Armenian Bakhtiâri rugs from Bardeshâh—compare Willborg, Chahâr Mahal va Bakthiâri, p147 + 149).
Then there are several other (probably secondary) border designs, narrow boteh-repeat, an awkwardly drawn border with rosettes and serrated leaves, a typical Kurdish rosette meander, a narrower version of the same thing, and a simple reciprocal sawtooth design.
The wagireh measures 2ft.6in. x 1ft.8in. (80 x 53 cm). Dense ivory-coloured cotton fully-depressed foundation with tightly spun warps and relatively thin double wefts (one straight, on sinuous), probably symmetrical knots. The weave pattern is somewhat uneven, oftren weft lines are clearly visible, in other parts the weave is more compated and lines disappear behind the knots (see imge of the back of the wagireh). the horizontal knot count is h.45/10, the vertical knot count is v.39/10, which means 1755 knots/dm2 (or, converted to to inches, h.12,v.10 = ca. 120 kpsi). This results in a V/H ratio of 1.15. Single cord selvage wrapped in medium blue wool, some unravelling). Short-cropped dense pile. The handle resembles that of thick leather.
Very good condition, no signs of wear apart from slightly unravelling selvedge wrapping. Clean, no stains, odor, tears, etc.
A beautiful harmonious palette with fine shades of madder (notice the beautiful rose shade field near the top), light, medium and dark indigo, medium green, ivory, maroon and black. The maroon, black and the cool medium green could be synthetic dyes, but not necessarily. No tip fading or bleeding.
