Sarouk Rugs, Persian Sarouk Rugs and Carpets

Sarouk, a village located in West Central Persia, was a flourishing weaving region from the late 19th century through the early to mid-20th century. Lying a few miles north of Arak (Sultanabad), what is now the Markazi province of Iran, Sarouk was known for its high-quality, artistically unique carpets featuring intricate center medallion motifs. The history of Sarouk rugs is quite interesting.

Unlike a majority of traditional Persian rugs, the popularity of Sarouk rugs is largely owed to the American market. In Persia, the rug-making industry was in a state of steady decline in the 18th century, which continued for most parts of the 19th century. Fortunately, there were several rug exhibitions held in London and Vienna, including the first World Oriental Carpet Exhibition, which renewed Western interest in these rug designs and prompted several artisans and carpet merchants to set up rug weaving centers and workshops in Arak and its surrounding areas. It wasn’t long before large-scale companies began trickling in and setting up shops in areas like Tabriz and Sultanabad to meet the rapidly rising demand in the Western market. The British-Italian Nearco Castelli Brothers, Eastern Rug Trading Company of New York, and the Atiyeh Brothers of Oregon were some of the earliest to establish their offices. Now, carpets with designs that appealed to the taste and demands of Western customers began to be produced, along with various new types of Persian rugs.
Sarouk Style Rugs, Persian Sarouk Farahan
One of the most famous carpet designers in Sarouk was named Farahan. In the 19th century, to compete with Kashan in the rug market, he began creating rugs with curvilinear designs and floral motifs and patterns, which came to be known as Farahan Sarouk. They had naturally dyed medallions on blue or ivory fields, in addition to pictures of birds and trees.
American Sarouk
Sarouk rugs that were produced during the 1920s and 1930s featured naturally dyed rose-field carpets with blue borders and detached floral sprays. Americans were, however, not too impressed with the color of the field. To remedy that issue, the rugs were renovated, chemically stripping them of their original color and hand-dying them in a deep burgundy to please the taste of the clients and customers. Other colors like green and blue were also used. In the 1950s, thousands of these rugs were renovated and repainted, which came to be known as American Sarouks. Due to the re-dying, the colors of these rugs may have become uneven over time.
Buy Persian Sarouk Rugs at Beautiful Rugs
Beautiful Rugs offers a collection of the finest Sarouk rugs with beautiful floral, animal, and an array of other Oriental motifs and patterns. Browse through our collection to discover handwoven vintage rugs that are designed to add color and warmth to any space. Whether you are looking for a quick way to dress up your living space or something to give your floors a unique look and feel, our Sarouk rugs are undoubtedly the perfect choice for you. Their unmatched grandeur, durability, and ability to complement even contemporary decors have made Sarouk rugs a favorite among our loyal customers. Made to endure generations of heavy use, these rugs have the potential to become heirloom pieces that can be passed down in the family. Moreover, their tremendous demand and limited availability make them one of the most priceless carpet styles you can own.
Do you have any questions about Sarouk rugs or how to buy them? Feel free to contact us for more information.

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