Sarab is a town in East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran, located east of Tabriz. The region produced a distinctive style of hand-knotted rugs from the 19th century onward — particularly known for long, narrow gallery-format rugs and runners that are uncommon elsewhere in Persian weaving.
Characteristics of Sarab rugs:
- Elongated proportions — Sarab runners are particularly distinctive; some pieces measure 16 feet or longer with widths of just 3–4 feet
- Camel-tone field colors — soft beige, light brown, and natural camel-wool grounds, often with red, blue, and ivory accents
- Stepped diamond medallions repeated along the long axis of runners, or a single elongated medallion in shorter rugs
- All-wool construction with symmetric (Turkish) knots
- Moderate knot density (typically 80–150 KPSI)
- Sturdy, durable hand — these were workhorse rugs intended for traditional Iranian homes with long hallways and reception rooms
Antique Sarab runners are particularly prized in the Western market because the long-narrow format suits hallways, galleries, and long living rooms — and there are relatively few regions that produced rugs in this specific format. As a result, antique Sarabs hold their value well and are actively sought by collectors and decorators.
The neighboring town of Mianeh (also in East Azerbaijan) produces rugs in a similar style; many older "Sarab" rugs in the trade may actually be Mianeh production.