This is a hand-knotted vintage Soltanabad rug, originating from the legendary weaving region of Arak (Soltanabad) in western Iran. At approximately 50 years old, dating to the mid-1970s, this piece represents a beautiful era of mid-century Persian village weaving., it is a versatile rug suited for a living room, bedroom, or cozy study. The rug is constructed from exceptionally high-quality, lustrous hand-spun wool using natural and early organic dyes. Its beauty lies in its soft, faded “pastel” palette and its charmingly primitive floral design, which gives it a romantic, aged, and utterly unique character.
The design layout of this Soltanabad rug is a classic “Medallion and Border” composition, executed with a distinctively “open” and airy feel. Unlike dense, tightly packed tribal rugs, this piece relies on negative space. The pale field is not crowded; it acts as a canvas for a few carefully placed, stylized floral elements. The center features a softly lobed, elongated floral medallionin dusty rose and cream, flanked by smaller, diamond-shaped floral motifs and scattered, delicate leaves. The rug is framed by a wide, multi-tiered border system. The main border features large, repeating stylized blossoms and curving vines on a cream ground, while the inner and outer guard borders feature thin bands of small, repeating chevron and floral dot motifs.
The color palette of this Soltanabad rug is its most captivating feature. It possesses a “whitewashed” or “watercolor” aesthetic, where the colors appear gently faded and softly blended, as if painted with a diluted brush. The primary field is a luminous, pale ice-blue, seafoam green, and soft cream, creating a cool, airy, and serene background. The floral motifs scattered across the field are woven in dusty rose, muted terracotta pink, light sapphire blue, and touches of olive green. The wide main border is a cream/ivory ground, featuring bold, stylized floral medallions in deep pink, light blue, and muted green. This soft, pastel palette is a hallmark of mid-century Soltanabad weaving and is incredibly difficult to replicate with modern dyes, making the rug feel like a gentle, faded watercolor painting.
The motifs in this Soltanabad rug are stylized, organic, and deeply romantic. The field is populated with loose, impressionistic floral sprays—some resembling wild roses, others resembling tulips or stylized peonies. These floral clusters are not sharply outlined; instead, they are created through the careful, “painterly” placement of contrasting pastel colors against the pale blue background. The main border features large, geometric floral rosettes that contain star-like centers, alternating with smaller, diamond-shaped flower buds. The pile of this rug is notably soft and plush, indicating the use of the famous, high-quality “Sarouk” wool that Soltanabad is celebrated for. The texture feels almost like velvet, with a gentle sheen that catches the light beautifully.
Age: 50 years old (circa mid-1970s), vintage mid-century weaving.
Size: 110*165 cm
Material: 100% premium, lustrous hand-spun “Sarouk” wool with natural/organic dyes.
Colors: “Whitewashed” pastel palette: pale ice-blue/seafoam green field, dusty rose, muted terracotta pink, light sapphire blue, cream, and olive green.
Design: Classic “Medallion and Border” layout with an open, airy, negative-space field.
Pattern: Loose, impressionistic floral sprays, a soft lobed central medallion, and a wide cream main border with large stylized floral rosettes.
Symbolism: Peace/openness (pale sky-like field), Garden of Paradise (floral blossoms), serenity/innocence (pastel palette).
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; plush, velvety, even pile; beautiful vintage patina; intact fringes.
Texture: Incredibly soft, high-quality wool with a subtle, luminous sheen.
Versatility: Perfect for a cozy living room, bedroom, or study. The pastel palette blends beautifully with modern, bohemian, cottagecore, or minimalist interiors.
Value: A rare, romantic mid-century piece with a “watercolor” aesthetic that is highly sought after for its soft tones and luxurious wool.
