{"product_id":"vintage-persian-silk-soumak-animal-rug","title":"Vintage Handwoven Persian Silk Soumak Animal Rug, 118 x 190 cm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eVintage Handwoven Persian Silk Soumak Animal Rug, 118 x 190 cm\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA vintage handwoven \u003cstrong\u003ePersian silk Soumak\u003c\/strong\u003e animal rug, distinguished by its lustrous surface and lively arrangement of birds, animals and geometric medallions. The exceptionally fine wrapped-weft construction creates remarkable clarity throughout the design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Persian silk Soumak rug\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwoven using the traditional wrapped-weft technique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine silk pattern wefts over a cotton foundation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompartmented animal and geometric design\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStylised birds, deer, goats and guardian-like quadrupeds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlternating ivory and red-ground panels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartered diamond medallions in varied colours\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntricately worked geometric borders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharacteristic loose pattern threads retained on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLate 20th century, probably circa 1970-1980s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis vintage Persian silk Soumak animal rug is handwoven using a demanding wrapped-weft technique. Rather than passing directly over and under the foundation, the coloured silk threads are wrapped around the cotton warps, forming a firm, finely articulated surface with a subtle braided appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rug is arranged as three vertical rows of alternating compartments. Ivory panels contain animated groups of stylised birds and animals, while the red-ground sections are centred by quartered diamond medallions surrounded by smaller quadrupeds and geometric devices. Narrow patterned divisions hold the composition together, enclosed by a sequence of colourful geometric borders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe animals are deliberately angular and full of individual character. Long-necked birds, cockerel-like forms, deer, goats and smaller creatures reflect the pastoral visual language associated with Persian tribal weaving. Their apparent simplicity conceals the precision needed to translate each figure into tightly wrapped silk threads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts strong red ground is balanced by ivory, green, ochre, orange, blue, purple and black. The natural sheen of the silk changes with the direction of the light, allowing individual colours and details to become more prominent as the rug is viewed from different positions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse retains the numerous loose coloured ends produced during Soumak weaving. These are an original and important feature of the construction rather than unfinished threads or later damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo understand how this distinctive surface was formed—and why the loose threads on the reverse are an important part of its construction—read \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/campbellvintage.co.uk\/blogs\/news\/persian-silk-soumak-rug-animals-weaving\" title=\"To understand how this distinctive surface was formed—and why the loose threads on the reverse are an important part of its construction—read Inside a Persian Silk Soumak Rug: Animals, Silk and Structure in The Campbell Vintage Journal.\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInside a Persian Silk Soumak Rug: Animals, Silk and Structure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e in The Campbell Vintage Journal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt 190 cm long, the rug has sufficient presence for a sitting room, bedroom or study while remaining manageable in scale. Its fine surface and intricate imagery also make it particularly suitable for display as a textile wall hanging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength: 190 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth: 118 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll dimensions are approximate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural silk pattern wefts over a cotton warp and foundation. Handwoven using the traditional Soumak wrapped-weft technique, with integral cotton fringes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresented in very good vintage condition, with a full woven surface, strong colour and clearly defined animal and geometric motifs. The side finishes remain secure and both fringed ends are substantially complete.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is minor waviness and light wear consistent with age and previous use. The numerous loose coloured threads visible on the reverse are inherent to Soumak construction and should not be interpreted as damage. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed assessment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin \/ Period\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttributed to Iran, formerly Persia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLate 20th century, probably circa 1970–1980s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyling Suggestions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rug can be placed before a sofa, beneath a coffee table or at the foot of a bed, where its compact proportions and dense imagery can be seen clearly. In a quieter interior, the red ground introduces colour without relying on a conventional floral pattern. Its fine silk construction also makes it suitable for wall display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFAQ\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs this rug genuinely handwoven?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. The irregularities within the individual figures and the wrapped pattern threads visible on the reverse confirm its handmade Soumak construction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy are there loose threads on the back?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are characteristic of the Soumak technique. Each colour is wrapped around the foundation warps, with the unused ends carried or clipped on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs this an antique rug?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rug is believed to date from the late 20th century and is therefore described as vintage rather than antique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCan it be used on the floor?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes, although its fine silk surface is best suited to a low-traffic position or displayed as a decorative textile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy This Object Stands Apart\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat distinguishes this Persian Soumak rug is the combination of exceptionally fine silk weaving and unusually expressive animal imagery. Every compartment contains a different arrangement, giving the surface a sense of movement and discovery while retaining a disciplined geometric structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Campbell Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57473350271351,"sku":"1002138","price":860.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0476\/1459\/1133\/files\/DSCF7304.jpg?v=1789818327","url":"https:\/\/campbellvintage.co.uk\/products\/vintage-persian-silk-soumak-animal-rug","provider":"Campbell Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}