An antique* silk Heriz is a type of Persian Rug which is at least 100 years
of age. Antique silk Heriz rugs are perhaps some of the most sought after carpets in the Persian Rug market today. Consistently, these rugs exceed auction estimates, and show continued strength in investment potential.
While designs may vary greatly from silk Heriz to silk Heriz, one thing remains very consistent: The handle of these rugs. Silk Heriz rugs are usually of very fine quality, with a knot count in the vicinity of 250 to 400 KPSI. When you have a silk Heriz in front of you, they often are very easy to identify by their handle, which often feels jelly-like when flopped. They drape very well over the hand, and those of which are in good condition can be folded up very compact. Colors are usually very bright, and have many jewel toned colors.
Antique silk Heriz rugs are always woven with a silk pile on silk foundation. While extremely impractical for actual use, these rugs serve as excellent wall hangings as they and are most commonly found in 4x6 size, however larger sizes upwards of 9x12 are known to exist. An unusual and rare breed of Silk Heriz rugs which are very unique are those called "fantasy rugs" Take a look at the video below for an exceptionally rare version of this type of rug.
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on April 10 & 11, 1981 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)!
Lot 383:
SILK HERIZ FABLE RUG, Persia
Last quarter 19th century. Approximately 6 feet (1.83 m.) x 4 feet 10 inches (1.47 m.)
Estimate: $30,000 / 40,000
Lot 396:
UNUSUAL SILK HERIZ FANTASY RUG, Persia
Circa 1875, color runs. Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m.) x 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m.)
Estimate: $15,000 / 25,000
Lot 404:
FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ PALMETTE RUG, Persia
Last quarter 19th century. Approximately 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m.) x 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m.)
Estimate: $40,000 / 50,000
Lot 424:
FINE SILK HERIZ RUG, Persia
Circa 1875 with rewoven areas. Approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m.) x 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m.)
Estimate: $30,000 / 35,000
Lot 449:
Property from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc. Des Moines, Iowa
FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ ARMORIAL CARPET, Persia
Last quarter 19th century. Approximately 15 feet 3 inches (4.65 m.) x 10 feet 6 inches (3.20 m.)
Estimate: $80,000 / 100,000
Lot 541: COVER RUG
FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ FANTASY CARPET, Persia
Circa 1875. Severed and restored in one corner. Approximately 14 feet 8 inches (4.47 m.) x 11 feet 10 inches (3.61 m.)
Estimate: $120,000 / 150,000
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on October 30 & 31, 1981 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)!
Lot 387:
SILK HERIZ CARPET, Persia
First Half 19th century, several splits and holes.
Approximately 12 feet 5 inches (3.79 m.) x 10 feet 4 inches (3.15 m.)
Lot 339:
RARE AND IMPORTANT DOUBLE-SIDED SILK HERIZ MEDITATION RUG, Persia
Third quarter 19th century, metallic selvage, poetic inscription, dated.
Approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m.) x 4 feet 2 inches (1.27 m.)
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on October 30, 1982 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)!
Lot 82:
FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ RUG, Persia
Circa 1875. Approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m.) x 4 feet 2 inches (1.27 m.
Estimate: $30,000 / 40,000
Lot 91:
SILK HERIZ CARPET, Persia
Circa 1850. Approximately 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m.) x 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m.)
Estimate: $15,000 / 25,000
Lot 92:
FINE SILK HERIZ RUG, Persia
Mid-19th century, restored area. Approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m.) x 4 feet 7 inches (1.40 m.)
Estimate: $25,000 / 35,000
Lot 168:
SILK HERIZ CARPET, Persia
Early 19th century. Approximately 10 feet 1 inches (3.08 m.) x 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 m.)
Estimate: $100,000 / 130,000
Lot 194:
IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ CARPET, Persia
Third quarter 19th century. Approximately 10 feet (3.13 m.) x 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m.)
Estimate: $80,000 / 100,000
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on April 10 & 11, 1981 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)
Lot 213:
FINE SILK HERIZ MEDALLION RUG, Persia
Last quarter 19th century. Approximately 6 feet (1.83 m.) x 4 feet 5 inches (1.35 m.)
Estimate: $20,000 / 25,000
Lot 227:
FINE SILK HERIZ PRAYER RUG, Persia
Circa 1875. Approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m.) x 4 feet 7 inches (1.40 m.)
Estimate: $25,000 / 30,000
Lot 228:
EXTREMELY FINE SILK HERIZ, Persia
Late 19th century. Approximately 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m.) x 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m.)
Estimate: $50,000 / 70,000
Note: This rug is remarkably finely woven, with approximately 1,000 knots per square inch.
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on May 19, 1984 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)!
Lot 172:
SILK HERIZ RUG, Northwestern Persia
circa 1875, Approximately 6 feet (1.83 m.) x 4 feet 8 inches (1.42 m.)
Estimate: $35,000 / 45,000
Lot 174:
FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ RUG, Northwestern Persia
mid-19th century. Approximately 6 feet (1.83 m.) x 4 feet 5 inches (1.35 m.)
Directional designs of floral bouquets are found in Persian carpets
throughout the 17th-20th centuries...
Estimate: $50,000 / 60,000
Lot 199:
EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ CARPET, Northwestern Persia
circa 1875 , Approximately 8 feet 3 inches (2.52 m.) x 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m.)
Estimate: $80,000 / 100,000
Lot 202:
EXTREMELY FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ CARPET, Northwestern Persia
circa 1875. Approximately 10 feet 3 inches (3.13 m.) x 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 m.)
Placed in the center of the carpet, a palmette inscription cartouche
reads "Work of SABBAGH". The primary border is inscribed with Dibeit
poetry, potentally attributable to Hafiz.
Estimate: $200,000 / 300,000
Lot 203:
EXTREMELY FINE AND IMPORTANT SILK HERIZ CARPET, Northwestern Persia
last quarter 19th century, Approximately 12 feet 5 inches (3.79 m.) x 9 feet 4 inches (2.85 m.)
Estimate: $150,000 / 200,000
The following lots are from Sotheby's New York Auction Catalog, which
were up for bid on December 1, 1984 in New York. Click on each image for additional information on each rug and what they sold for (if they sold)!
Lot 156:
Fine Silk Heriz Rug, Northwest Persia
Circa 1875, Approximately 5 feet 5 inches by 4 feet 4 inches (1.65m. by 1.32m.)
Property from the Estate of Frances Barbera, Deceased, Formerly in the Collection of Andrew C. Dole.
Estimate: $25,000 / 35,000
Other Suggested Readings/Info on Silk Heriz Rugs: