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ANTIQUE PERSIAN MAHI HERATI HAND KNOTTED RUNNER, 3.5 x 10.6 - $750 (Mechanicsville - Studley)
condition:
excellent
make / manufacturer:
Persia
model name / number:
Mahi Herati Runner
size / dimensions:
3ft 5in x 10ft 6in, 21.4lbs
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One of the more common design motifs used in these elegant ancient rugs is the iconic fish design rugs, also called “Herati” or “Mahi” pattern. While a few specifics may differ based on the country or region where these rugs are produced, what is generally true is that the pattern consists of an elaborately rendered diamond with a rosette inside. The former often encapsulates decorative floral elements which resemble fish, hence the use of the Farsi term of “mahi”, which translates to “fish”. The exact origins of the Herati/Mahi fish design is still somewhat unsettled. That said, it is fairly widely accepted that the Farsi-speaking region of Western Iran and the country of Turkey, represent the locations where this particular style of rug design does in fact have its most definitive roots. Perhaps a bit of a slightly stronger case can be made for Iran given that the city of Herat (which was initially located in Persia but now resides within Afghanistan’s borders) provided obvious eponymous inspiration for the naming of the very design itself. Regardless of any quibbles concerning direct national or cultural lineage, this general area’s role in and contribution to the development and popularization of the Mahi pattern is laudable and, again, undisputed. Mahi fish design area rugs are famed for not only their aesthetic appeal but their durability (and attendant functionality) as well. In fact, the beauty of these pieces truly belies their practicality; they do not need to be seen or treated as mere show-pieces but can actually be put to use in the home as desired.