Antique Persian Malayer Area Rug — 1920s | 4' × 6'

4' x 6'

$1,290.00 $1,770.00

Antique Persian Malayer Area Rug — 1920s | 4' × 6'

The Azar

★★★★★ 4.9 STAR SELLER RATING

An heirloom rug from the Malayer collection

Antique Persian Malayer Area Rug — 1920s | 4' × 6'

$1,290.00 $1,770.00

Authentic Antique

Persian handmade

professionally cleaned

The Antique Persian Malayer Area Rug is an early 20th-century hand-knotted wool piece that brings fiery contrast and expressive medallion geometry into intimate interior spaces. Woven in Persia circa the 1920s, this Malayer rug features a single roundel medallion with concentric serrated contour—bold, animated, and rich in chromatic intensity.

Origin: Persia (Iran)
Age: Antique, circa 1920s
Type: Area rug
Construction: Hand-knotted
Pile: Wool pile
Use: Indoor
Size: 4' × 6'

Each rug is handcrafted and timeworn. Variations in wear, restoration, and contour are natural characteristics of antique handmade rugs and reflect their long life rather than defects.

Description

This antique Persian Malayer rug is centered around a roundel medallion composition, featuring a concentric outer contour rendered in expressive serration and scroll. Double-tiered finials with floral-filled palmette cross-sections extend from either end, intensifying the sense of upward movement.

Corner spandrels mirror the medallion’s contour in inverted coloration, creating structural harmony while preserving visual drama. The open field allows the central form to radiate outward without overcrowding.

The palette is vivid and flame-like—ivory layered with tomato red and tangerine orange, contrasted by deep sky blue and powder blue with grounding notes of beige and sand. Strong contrast gives the composition heat and dynamism while retaining architectural balance.

Azar is bold yet disciplined in structure, ideal for layered interiors that embrace saturation, authenticity, and visible patina over perfection.

History

Malayer rugs are woven in western Persia and are recognized for expressive medallions, fluid borders, and adaptable compositions that bridge village and workshop traditions.

In the 1920s, Malayer weavers emphasized bold central medallions with serrated contours and saturated natural dyes, often incorporating open fields that highlighted structure and contrast.

Antique Malayer rugs from this period are collected for their authenticity, confident geometry, and strong chromatic identity.

About the Name

Azar is a Persian name meaning “fire.” It is associated with warmth, intensity, and elemental force.

The name reflects the rug’s flame-like palette—tomato red and tangerine orange radiating against cooler blues and ivory. The serrated medallion contours amplify the sensation of movement, as though heat were rippling outward from the center.

Azar is a piece that commands attention—fiery, expressive, and unapologetically alive.

Materials & Composition

Primary material: Wool
Construction: Hand-knotted
Dye method: Traditional hand-dyed yarns with tonal variation
Edges: Original side cord selvages, intact or restored
Foundation: Traditional woven foundation

Condition Details

This antique Persian Malayer rug shows mostly even wear down to the knot heads, with small isolated areas of foundation visible.

Most of the original side cord selvages remain intact or have been restored. The sides and ends are fully secured.

Multiple areas of restoration are present in varying levels of expertise, along with minor loss to all four perimeters. The rug is best suited for moderate to low traffic areas deeper inside the home.

The rug has been recently professionally cleaned and is ready for placement.

Care Instructions

Vacuum gently using suction only. Avoid beater bars and rotating brushes.

Use a quality rug pad to improve stability and reduce movement.

Rotate periodically to encourage even wear. For structural work or advanced cleaning, consult a professional rug conservator experienced with antique Persian carpets.

FAQ

Is this rug one of a kind?
Yes. Each antique Malayer rug is unique in drawing, wear, and restoration history.

What interiors does this rug suit best?
This rug works beautifully in eclectic, traditional, or layered interiors where bold contrast and visible patina are appreciated.

Is the rug ready for use?
Yes. It has been professionally cleaned and is ready for placement, ideally in moderate to low traffic areas.

The Leonidas Collection is proud to offer carbon neutral shipping on most heirloom rug purchases.

Shipping is calculated at checkout and includes handling and insurance.
Select rugs ship free within the continental U.S.
Oversized items ship via freight carrier (curbside delivery).
Shipping fees are non-refundable.
Damage or delivery issues must be reported within 48 hours.

Heirloom rugs (including vintage & antique) are returnable within 3 days of delivery, unless otherwise noted.
Heirloom rugs purchased on sale or with a discount are final sale.
Contemporary rugs are returnable within 14 days of delivery, unless otherwise noted.
Return authorization is required.

Please review the full details of our Return & Refund Policy for more information.

We encourage customers to contact us at hello@leonidascollection.com with any questions prior to purchase to ensure confidence in your selection.

★★★★★ 4.9 STAR SELLER RATING

"Worth every penny! This is the kind of purchase you never regret." - Selena W.

ORIGIN STORY

The Malayer Collection

Azar is an antique Malayer rug distinguished by structured allover patterning, nuanced abrash, and deeply rooted village craftsmanship. Woven in western Persia, Malayer rugs translate classical Persian motifs into expressive, highly livable designs.

Malayer rugs are celebrated for their Herati patterns, balanced repetition, and complex yet restrained palettes. Durable and quietly elegant, they function as grounding foundation pieces—bringing rhythm, depth, and authenticity to both traditional interiors and thoughtfully modern spaces.