Heriz is a district in northwest Iran, located in the mountains east of Tabriz. It is the most important source of bold geometric Persian rugs and is one of the most commercially important Persian rug categories in the U.S. trade.
A classic Heriz rug is immediately recognizable:
- A large, angular central medallion with stepped or pointed outlines
- Corner spandrels that echo the medallion's geometry
- A field of stylized floral and vine motifs drawn in straight, geometric lines (rather than the curvilinear floral patterns of Tabriz or Kashan)
- A color palette dominated by copper-red, terracotta, ivory, and navy blue, with accents of gold, green, and pink
- A coarser knot count than city rugs, typically 80–160 KPSI
Heriz rugs are woven from local wool that is particularly long-staple and lanolin-rich, which gives the rugs exceptional durability and a slight sheen that develops with age. These rugs were originally produced for large traditional Iranian homes and were exported in great quantity to American buyers from the late 19th century onward, where their large scale (9x12 feet and larger is common) and geometric clarity made them especially popular.
Related weaving villages in the same district include Gorevan (coarser, lower-grade), Bakshaish (older antique production), Mehraban, and Ahar.