This 80-year-old Balooch, measuring 145 by 85 centimeters, is a masterpiece of tribal geometry, featuring a highly sophisticated “compartment” or “prayer niche” layout.
The design is uniquely anchored by a stepped, rectangular mihrab (prayer niche)structure, where the dark blue background extends upward to frame the top two corners, leaving the golden lattice to fill the central space like a glowing garden. The main border is a marvel of detail, featuring alternating bands of madder red and forest green filled with small, repeating chevronand leaf motifs. The outer guard border features an intricate, repeating “running dog” (S-hook) pattern in ivory and blue, completing the frame. The natural abrash across the gold lattice adds a beautiful, textured depth to this highly collectible piece.
The color palette is moody and deeply saturated, dominated by a rich, velvety midnight blue and indigo field. Contrasting sharply against this dark background is a mesmerizing, all-over diamond lattice woven in a vibrant mustard-gold and bronze-ochre. This dense, repeating grid creates a hypnotic, honeycomb-like texture across the entire rug.
