Heriz

A Heriz Rug is a type of Persian rug from the area of Heriz. The Heriz rug is produced in the villages of the slopes of Mount Sabalan. It is an extremely durable hard-wearing rug and the Heriz rug has now passed Bijar Rugs as the Iron Rug of Iran. Herizes are thick, tough, and often inexpensive rugs that appeal strongly to the US market. The Heriz rug is produced in Northwest Iran northeast of Tabriz. Part of the reason for the toughness of Heriz carpets is that Mount Sabalan is sitting on a major deposit of Copper. Trace copper in the drinking water of the sheep produces the highest quality of rug wool. The copper makes the wool stronger and far more resilient than wool from other areas.Heriz rugs include rugs from the towns of Ahar, Heriz, Mehraban, Sarab, Serapi, Bakhshaish, and Gorevan. The small town of Heriz is the center of the weaving areas in Azerbaijan, and has given its name to one of the most important Persian provenances. Carpets from the town's workshops are of better quality than those from the inaccessible mountain villages. The typical Heriz red and a highly individual medallion are the main characteristics of these popular carpets. Rare Serapi is very expensive, has a less busy design and is in high demand. Old and antique examples, in various blue tones, are occasionally found in the trade and at auctions. Brown, beige and turquoise shades indicate older pieces. Heriz silk carpets are exceptionally finely knotted and are both rare and very beautiful. The designs of old Heriz rugs differ radically from those of new pieces. New Heriz rugs are made in Persia, India, and other countries and are of high quality and some are vegetable dye.  Heriz rugs are of coarse construction. The rugs range from 30 KPSI on the low end to 100 - 110 KPSI on the high end. It is rare to see a rug over 100 kpsi that would look like an authentic Heriz.