Product Description
About This Ardabil Rug
This exquisite semi antique Ardabil Persian rug measuring 9'8" x 3'5" showcases the legendary artistry of weavers from the historic city of Ardabil in northwestern Persia, presenting a captivating medallion toranj design rendered in a sophisticated palette of madder red, navy blue, and cream accents. The elongated runner format makes this piece exceptionally versatile for narrow spaces, hallways, or as an elegant accent alongside larger furnishings, while its 40-60 year patina adds distinguished character that only authentic age can provide.
The ancient city of Ardabil has been renowned for centuries as a center of Persian rug weaving excellence, particularly famous for housing the magnificent Ardabil Carpet now displayed in London's Victoria and Albert Museum. This regional weaving tradition dates back to the Safavid dynasty, when Ardabil served as a spiritual center under Shah Ismail I, and local artisans developed distinctive knotting techniques that combined geometric precision with flowing organic motifs, creating rugs that embodied both religious devotion and artistic mastery.
The central medallion toranj dominates this composition with mathematical precision, surrounded by intricate geometric borders that demonstrate the weaver's masterful understanding of spatial relationships and symbolic meaning. Traditional Persian design philosophy views the medallion as representing the dome of heaven, while the surrounding geometric patterns symbolize the ordered universe, creating a spiritual mandala beneath your feet. The tribal and nomadic influences evident in the angular motifs reflect the cultural exchange between settled urban weavers and traveling craftspeople who brought fresh design elements from across the Persian highlands.
The rich color story unfolds through natural dyes that have mellowed beautifully over decades, with the dominant madder red providing warmth and vitality, while deep navy blue grounds create sophisticated contrast enhanced by cream highlights and touches of burnt orange, turquoise, black, brown, and gold threading throughout the composition. This chromatic harmony reflects traditional Persian color symbolism, where red represents life force and courage, blue signifies wisdom and truth, and cream embodies purity and enlightenment, creating an emotionally resonant foundation for any interior space.
As a one-of-a-kind hand-knotted masterpiece that elevates any room with authentic Persian artistry, this Ardabil runner works beautifully in contemporary settings where its narrow profile can define pathways, anchor console tables, or add sophisticated texture to minimalist interiors. Los Angeles Home of Rugs is proud to offer this exceptional piece that represents generations of weaving tradition, perfect for discerning collectors who appreciate how genuine Persian craftsmanship transforms living spaces with timeless elegance and cultural depth.
Placement Suggestions
Full Specifications
| Original Name | Ardabil Rug |
| Alternative Name | Ardabil Carpet, Ardebil Rug |
| Origin | Ardabil, Persia |
| Category | Village, City |
| Common Designs | Medallion (Toranj), Geometric, Tribal and Nomadic |
| Dyeing Method | Natural, Synthetic |
| Pile Material | Wool, Silk |
| Foundation Material | Cotton |
| Knot Type | Symmetrical (Ghiordes), Asymmetrical (Persian) |
| Trust Signals | 100% Authentic Hand-Knotted — Certificate of Authenticity included with every purchase |
| Availability | Only One Available — This exact rug is unique. Once sold it cannot be reordered or replicated |
Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Ardabil rug genuinely hand-knotted?
Yes. This rug is 100% hand-knotted. Every single knot was tied individually by hand by a skilled weaver in Ardabil, Persia. It is not machine-made, hand-tufted, or hand-hooked. The knot structure is clearly visible on the reverse side of the rug, confirming its authentic hand-knotted construction.
What does the age classification mean for this Ardabil rug?
This Ardabil rug is classified as antique, meaning it is 100 years old or more. By international convention and U.S. Customs standards, a rug must be at least 100 years old to qualify as antique. Antique Persian rugs are the most prized category among collectors, valued for their historical significance, natural dye patina, aged wool softness, rarity, and the way their colors have mellowed and deepened beautifully over a century or more of careful use.
Where does the Ardabil rug originate?
This Ardabil rug originates from Ardabil, Persia. The Ardabil region has a long and distinguished history of rug weaving, with local artisans developing their own distinctive design vocabulary, color traditions, and technical approaches that set their rugs apart from other Persian weaving centers. The village, city rug category from this region is particularly known for its medallion (toranj), geometric, tribal and nomadic design traditions.
What knot type was used to weave this Ardabil rug?
This Ardabil rug was woven using both the asymmetrical Persian (Senneh) knot and the symmetrical Turkish (Ghiordes) knot. The asymmetrical Persian knot, which wraps around one warp thread, allows for finer curvilinear design detail. The symmetrical Turkish knot, which wraps around two warp threads, produces a more robust pile. The use of both techniques reflects the weaver's mastery and adaptability within the regional weaving tradition.
Is this rug one of a kind?
Yes. This is a one-of-a-kind piece. As an authentic hand-knotted Persian rug, no two examples are identical. Only one of this exact rug is available in our collection. Once sold, this specific piece cannot be reordered or replicated. Every hand-knotted Persian rug is a unique artifact of its weaver's skill, materials, and creative expression.
Does this rug come with a Certificate of Authenticity?
Yes. Every rug purchased from Los Angeles Home of Rugs includes a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the rug's origin, age, materials, construction method, and appraised value. This certificate is accepted by major U.S. insurance providers and supports resale, estate, and auction documentation.
How do I care for this wool, silk rug?
Vacuum gently without a beater bar once a week in the direction of the pile. Rotate the rug every 6 to 12 months to ensure even wear. For spills, blot immediately with a clean white cloth without rubbing. For deep cleaning, use a professional Persian rug cleaning specialist who uses hand-washing methods appropriate for natural wool, silk fibers and aged dyes. Avoid steam cleaning or harsh chemical treatments.
What is the shipping policy for this rug?
Los Angeles Home of Rugs offers free standard shipping on all orders to the contiguous 48 U.S. states and Washington D.C. For orders to Alaska, Hawaii, P.O. boxes, or international destinations, real-time shipping quotes are provided at checkout via UPS, FedEx, and USPS. All rugs are carefully rolled and packaged to ensure safe delivery.
What is your return policy?
We offer a 30-day hassle-free return policy on all rugs. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days of delivery to arrange a return. Refunds are processed within 3 to 5 business days after we receive the returned rug in its original condition. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer unless the rug was received damaged or incorrectly described.
At Los Angeles Home of Rugs, we only stock hand-knotted rugs. We do not carry machine-made, hand-tufted, hand-hooked, or hand-woven rugs. Every rug in our collection is certified authentic and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Read More
