A Pair of Camel Hair Runners

A matching pair of late 19^th century camel hair runners, 3’ x 17’6”

Camel hair rugs and carpets were woven in the areas around the Persian weaving center of Hamadan. While one encounters room sized carpets made in this Kurdish village rug weaving region most of the production here was occupied with the weaving of runners.

Generally all these rugs and carpets are framed by a perimeter of undecorated camel color wool pile between 2”to 6” wide. Visually camel hair runners and carpets typically explore figure ground relationships and the attempt to create three dimensional space.

 In these two matching runners the perimeter of their unadorned plain “borders” serves to develop the visual illusion of a rug floating upon another rug. The expansive visual movement of the rugs’ dense interior design functions as an interesting counterpoint to the rugs’ simple plain borders. One encounters this idea in the art of 17^th century Persian book covers as well in design conventions used the facades of Islamic architecture.

The design arrangements in these runners form extremely interesting images of space and movement as well. In these runners the interior lattice design filled with geometrically rendered flowers suggests the motion of design above a lattice grid.  

The rich vegetable dye colors here work brilliantly against the camel hair surround. The borders make a visual resting place in relation to the rugs’ active design interior. While these runners are over 100 years old they project an unmistakably contemporary aesthetic.

The condition of both runners is excellent. A relatively rare matching pair of antique runners

Introduction

Oriental rugs can be fascinating, and beautiful objects. At times they transcend the mundanity of floor coverings and reach into the elusive emotional atmosphere of art.
Whatever aesthetic they are grounded in - contemporary, tribal, transitional or urban workshop, the best examples change the rules of the modern interior space. This is the transformation we at Basil Scaljon Rugs seek to affect in the homes of our clients, an essence of harmony and balance that is inherent in the most visually nourishing modern and antique oriental rugs.

We are equally comfortable in the areas of both collectable antique rugs as well as the best of modern decorative carpets. We are fueled by the absolute conviction that handmade carpets are potentially an art form and articulate the soul of a room. For over 25 years this belief, that good interior design demands enlightened objects, has been the driving principle in our business.

Interior designers form a large part of our clientele. We also offer over 25 years of experience repairing and cleaning oriental rugs. You are always welcome to visit our spacious open gallery space. There are always interesting rugs displayed on the walls. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting.