Antique Persian Lilian Rug Size: 3'10" × 5'8" Date: 1910s Material: Wool on Cotton From the Arak district of west-central Iran, this Lilian takes a less common approach than the typical red-ground examples from the region — the deep navy field gives the floral composition a richness and depth that the more familiar madder grounds don't produce in the same way. The navy field is covered with an all-over design of large, boldly drawn floral forms — serrated palmette leaves, rosette flower heads, and angular botanical devices in burnt orange, gold, sky blue, olive green, and madder red that spread across the surface without a medallion or formal axis. The motifs are large relative to the field size, which gives the rug a strong, graphic presence despite its modest dimensions. The drawing has the slightly angular, spontaneous quality associated with village rather than workshop production. The coral-orange border carries a continuous floral spray in sky blue, green, and ivory — warm and well-contrasted against the cool navy field. The combination of navy, burnt orange, and coral is vivid and works particularly well in both traditional and contemporary settings.