Rafsandjan Sherkat

Nestled in the mountains of Iran’s interior, just north of Arak (formerly Sultanabad) lies the small village of Sarouk (Sarough). During the late 19th and early 20th century, this little village was one of the most active carpet weaving areas, producing some of the finest room-sized Persian carpets of its time. Western demand for carpets was strong and the vast majority of Sarough carpets were exported, particularly to the US after the decline of the European market due to World War I. 

Sarough carpets became a popular choice due to their quality, durability and style. They are knotted using a Persian knot, high quality tough wool and have a very thick and dense pile, ideal for home use as they are able to withstand daily traffic, wear and tear with no signs of damage after decades of use if properly cared for. The American Sarough was specifically designed to cater for the American market. These carpets were originally woven with lighter rust colour backgrounds, something that did not prove successful, as the American market wanted deeper and richer colours. As a result, the carpets had to be re-dyed upon arrival, thereby earning them the name ”Painted Sarouks”. 

Sarough carpets can be found in a diverse range of designs and beautiful carpets featuring both central medallions and open field designs with cream, indigo and pale red floral motifs are common.