Persian Khorasan Boteh Wool Rug — 4'7" x 7', c.1900–25

A hand-knotted Persian wool rug from Khorasan province — northeastern Iran — woven in the first quarter of the 20th century and presenting an all-over boteh (paisley) repeat across a warm ivory field. The interlocking boteh motifs are rendered in deep indigo and muted salmon, creating a dense, rhythmic surface pattern with the kind of visual depth only achieved through hand-knotting at this fineness. The main border is a classic madder red with scrolling palmette and vine in navy and ivory, flanked by narrow guard stripes on all four sides. Both ends retain their original ivory fringe; selvedges are overcorded in coral wool. The palette draws from natural dyes that have aged to a warm, harmonious tone across the full field.

At 4'7" x 7', this is a versatile scatter size — strong under a console, at the foot of a bed, or anchoring a reading area — and the ivory-ground boteh format translates well into both traditional and transitional interiors.

CONDITION

Moderate. The rug shows overall even wear throughout the field, with scattered areas of pile loss — primarily in the darker-dyed sections — where warp threads are exposed due to age-related dye corrosion. Staining is present; distribution and severity are visible in images. Selvedge overcording shows localized fraying with some broken and loose ends along portions of both long sides.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Length: 7'
• Width: 4'7"
• Construction: Hand-knotted
• Pile: Wool
• Field: All-over boteh (paisley) repeat, ivory ground
• Border: Madder red main border, scrolling palmette and vine; narrow navy guard borders
• Fringe: Ivory, both ends
• Selvedge: Coral wool overcording
• Origin: Khorasan Province, Iran
• Period: First quarter 20th century (c. 1900–1925)