This magnificent antique Persian Henigoun rug is a rare and striking piece, estimated to be approximately 95 years old, dating back to the late 1920s or early 1930s. Henigoun (also spelled Henijun or Hinigun) is a small village located in the Hamadan province of western Iran, known for producing rugs of exceptional quality that blend the geometric tribal aesthetic of the region with a refined, almost pictorial elegance. This hand-knotted masterpiece measures a substantial 300 centimeters in length by 160 centimeters in width (roughly 9’10” by 5’3″), making it a large runner or gallery-size rug ideal for a long hallway, a dining room, a living room, or a grand entryway. The rug is hand-knotted using high-quality wool on a cotton foundation, and it features the sturdy, dense weave that Henigoun weavers are celebrated for.
In terms of design and motifs, this Henigoun rug features a spectacular, highly elaborate “double-medallion” layout set against a dramatic, dark indigo background. The central field is dominated by two massive, identical medallions arranged one above the other along the vertical axis of the rug. Each medallion is a complex, stepped, and lobed floral rosette rendered in a luminous, sky-blue color. Inside each blue medallion is a nested, multi-petaled flower in madder red and cream, with a dark central star or cross. The outer edges of the medallions are deeply serrated and decorated with smaller geometric floral motifs in red, gold, and ivory. The field surrounding these two magnificent blue medallions is a deep, saturated indigo or navy blue, which is densely filled with a rich array of tribal and floral motifs. These include stylized palmettes, rosettes, leafy branches, and geometric stars, all woven in madder red, golden ochre, camel, and touches of pale green. The corner spandrels in all four corners are filled with a vibrant red ground, featuring stylized floral sprays that mirror the motifs in the field.
The border framing this extraordinary field is wide, bold, and highly decorative, set against a dark navy blue background. The main border features a continuous, repeating series of large, stylized floral bouquets or “vase” motifs, rendered in red, camel, and cream. These floral arrangements are highly detailed, with distinct stems, leaves, and blooms, and they alternate with smaller geometric rosettes. The overall effect is one of abundance and movement. Flanking the main border are multiple narrow guard stripes in red, cream, and gold, featuring small, repeating chain-link and diamond motifs. The outer edges are secured, and the rug features long, hand-tied fringes at both ends, which have naturally aged to a soft, creamy yellow, showing the gentle wear of nearly a century.
The border framing this extraordinary field is wide, bold, and highly decorative, set against a dark navy blue background. The main border features a continuous, repeating series of large, stylized floral bouquets or “vase” motifs, rendered in red, camel, and cream. These floral arrangements are highly detailed, with distinct stems, leaves, and blooms, and they alternate with smaller geometric rosettes. The overall effect is one of abundance and movement. Each floral bouquet is composed of multiple layers: a central flower head surrounded by smaller blossoms, all connected by a meandering vine system. The guard stripes flanking the main border are intricately woven with a chain-link pattern in red and cream, and a secondary outer guard stripe features a repeating diamond-and-dot motif. The outer edges are secured, and the rug features long, hand-tied fringes at both ends, which have naturally aged to a soft, creamy yellow, showing the gentle wear of nearly a century. The fringes are tightly spun and show slight variations in thickness, which is typical of hand-spun wool from the 1920s.
The color palette of this 95-year-old Henigoun rug is deep, vibrant, and exquisitely balanced, derived entirely from natural dyes that have aged with a beautiful patina. The dominant colors are a deep, saturated indigo blue in the main field and border, a luminous sky-blue in the central medallions, and a rich, warm madder red in the spandrels and floral accents. Secondary colors include golden ochre, camel, cream, and touches of pale sage green and soft pink. The rug exhibits a beautiful, pronounced “abrash” across the field, where the indigo dye shifts slightly from row to row, creating a mottled, dimensional effect that is highly prized in antique rugs. This color variation is particularly visible on the left side of the field, where the navy blue softens to a slightly lighter, grayish-blue hue. The wool itself has a silky, almost velvety texture that only comes from decades of gentle use and natural oxidation, and the pile is low but consistent, with no bare spots or structural weaknesses. In terms of condition, this 95-year-old rug is sturdy and structurally sound, with secure edges and no major holes, tears, or stains. It shows the gentle, expected wear of a vintage piece, including a soft, even patina across the entire surface, making it ready for immediate use in a modern home. This Henigoun rug is a rare and impressive piece that will bring history, warmth, and undeniable elegance to any interior.
Henigoun Rug (95 Years Old, 300 x 160 cm)
Rare 95-Year-Old Antique: A genuine village rug from the late 1920s/early 1930s, offering nearly a century of history and character that cannot be replicated by modern pieces.
Impressive Gallery Size: Measures 300 x 160 cm (approx. 9’10” x 5’3″) — perfect for long hallways, dining rooms, grand entryways, or as a statement runner in a living space.
Stunning Double-Medallion Design: Features two large, luminous sky-blue floral rosettes set against a deep indigo field, creating a dramatic, symmetrical focal point.
Intricate Field Detailing: The dark indigo field is densely filled with stylized palmettes, rosettes, leafy vines, and charming hidden tribal motifs, including small bird and animal forms.
Bold Floral Border: A wide navy blue border adorned with repeating, large-scale floral bouquets and meandering vines, framed by multiple intricate guard stripes.
Natural Dyes & Beautiful Abrash: Colors are derived entirely from natural dyes, with a rich palette of indigo blue, madder red, golden ochre, camel, and pale green. The visible “abrash” (color variation across rows) is highly prized by collectors.
High-Quality Hand-Knotted Wool: Lustrous wool on a cotton foundation, with a tight knot count (approx. 120–150 KPSI) that allows for exceptional detail and durability.
Silky Vintage Patina: The wool has developed a soft, velvety sheen and low, even pile from nearly a century of gentle use — a texture only time and natural aging can produce.
Structurally Sound & Ready to Use: Secure edges, no major holes or tears, and clean condition. This rug is sturdy enough for daily floor use in a modern home.
Collector-Grade Provenance: Henigoun rugs are known for blending tribal geometry with refined floral elegance, making this piece a rare and valuable addition to any collection.
