What characterises a late 19th-century Kurdish or Persian runner rug?

Late 19th-century tribal runners from the Persian and Kurdish regions typically feature hand-knotted wool construction with distinct geometric motifs, diamond lattice medallions, and natural dye palettes dominated by rich indigo blues and madder reds.

How were traditional antique wool runners constructed?

Traditional runners were hand-knotted on narrow looms by nomadic or village weavers using local hand-spun wool for both the pile and foundation, coloured with vegetable dyes.

How can you identify an authentic antique Persian or tribal runner?

Authentic antique pieces feature slight asymmetry in their hand-woven geometric patterns, natural vegetable-dyed wool showing subtle abrash colour variations, and a flexible, hand-knotted wool foundation.

How do you style an antique long runner in a modern interior?

Place a long antique runner in a hallway, corridor, or entry gallery to bring warmth, texture, and historical contrast to neutral walls and hardwood or stone flooring.

How should an antique hand-knotted wool rug be maintained?

Vacuum gently using suction only without a rotating beater bar, rotate periodically to ensure even wear, and clean spills immediately with a damp cloth and mild wool-safe detergent.

for sale €2,282 $2,477

£1,950

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2010

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Yolanda Gray Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

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Navy Blue Rug Runner

Antique Turkish Runner

Hand Knotted Hallway Carpet

Id #SA1072538

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Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary

• Item: Victorian Persian Runner

• Circa: 1890

• Provenance: Possibly Kurdish, North-West Persia

• Period: Late Victorian

• Size: 14½ ft x 3½ ft

• Material: Hand Dyed Wool

• Pile: Deep & heavy

• Central colours: Blue, Fawn, Red & Brown

• Border colours: Red & Blue

• Three borders

• Prominent defined borders

• Geometric design

• Hand-knotted

• Woven on a loom

• Suitable for heavy traffic

• Completely original

• Good original condition

• No holes or stains

• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

• Free 14-day UK returns

This is a fine quality antique Victorian Persian runner, measuring 14½ foot long, believed to be of North West Kurdish / Persian origin, displaying rich vibrant colours and a bold design, circa 1890, in good original condition. The hand-dyed wool, made by tribesmen, displays three borders, geometric in design, interspersed with flowers. The Victorian Persian runner has been constructed on a woven loom and is hand knotted, with a deep and tightly knotted pile, which makes it suitable for heavy traffic areas, such as a hallway or long room. The Victorian Persian runner boasts incredible detail, displaying rich natural vibrant colours of pink, red, green and fawn on a blue background, giving a pleasing overall effect. The centre of the Victorian rug displays a deep blue background, incorporating patterned fawn, red, pink and fawn colours. The centre is enclosed by three well-defined borders, displaying red and blue colours, interspersed with a floral pattern.

This hallway runner would grace the floor of a variety of rooms, especially the hallway and it would suit either a traditional or contemporary setting, as it is a timeless piece of floor covering.

Condition Report

This is a fine quality antique Victorian Persian runner, measuring 14½ foot long, believed to be of North West Kurdish / Persian origin, displaying rich vibrant colours and a bold design, circa 1890, in good original condition. There is natural colour variation, which is to be expected of a handmade rug. The rug is clean and free of holes or stains. It shows little sign of age-related wear (some wear is expected from a rug of this age}. The runner lacks its fringe on both ends. The rug features a deep and tightly knotted pile, which makes it suitable for heavy traffic areas, such as a hallway in the house. This Victorian Persian runner is ready to use.

Price:

The price for this item is £1,950, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 10 / 104863

Physical Dimensions

Width

108cm (42.52")

Depth

443.5cm (174.61")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Antique Persian Wool Runner to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1072538

Dealers Internal Reference

10 / 104863

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary

• Item: Victorian Persian Runner

• Circa: 1890

• Provenance: Possibly Kurdish, North-West Persia

• Period: Late Victorian

• Size: 14½ ft x 3½ ft

• Material: Hand Dyed Wool

• Pile: Deep & heavy

• Central colours: Blue, Fawn, Red & Brown

fig 1. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 1. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

• Border colours: Red & Blue

• Three borders

• Prominent defined borders

• Geometric design

• Hand-knotted

• Woven on a loom

• Suitable for heavy traffic

• Completely original

• Good original condition

• No holes or stains

fig 2. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 2. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

• Free 14-day UK returns

“

The hand-dyed wool, made by tribesmen, displays three borders, geometric in design, interspersed with flowers.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The Victorian Persian runner has been constructed on a woven loom and is hand knotted, with a deep and tightly knotted pile, which makes it suitable for heavy traffic areas, such as a hallway or long room. The Victorian Persian runner boasts incredible detail, displaying rich natural vibrant colours of pink, red, green and fawn on a blue background, giving a pleasing overall effect. The centre of the Victorian rug displays a deep blue background, incorporating patterned fawn, red, pink and fawn colours. The centre is enclosed by three well-defined borders, displaying red and blue colours, interspersed with a floral pattern.

fig 3. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 3. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

This hallway runner would grace the floor of a variety of rooms, especially the hallway and it would suit either a traditional or contemporary setting, as it is a timeless piece of floor covering.

Condition Report

fig 4. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 4. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

This is a fine quality antique Victorian Persian runner, measuring 14½ foot long, believed to be of North West Kurdish / Persian origin, displaying rich vibrant colours and a bold design, circa 1890, in good original condition. There is natural colour variation, which is to be expected of a handmade rug. The rug is clean and free of holes or stains. It shows little sign of age-related wear (some wear is expected from a rug of this age}. The runner lacks its fringe on both ends. The rug features a deep and tightly knotted pile, which makes it suitable for heavy traffic areas, such as a hallway in the house. This Victorian Persian runner is ready to use.

fig 5. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 5. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

Price:

The price for this item is £1,950, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

fig 6. A long antique hand-knotted wool hallway runner featuring a dark navy central field with repeating geometric diamond motifs surrounded by a red floral and geometric border. — fig 6. Antique Victorian 14½ Ft Persian Turkish Kurdish Wool Narrow Red & Blue Runner / Hall / Floor Rug (Circa 1890)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 10 / 104863