The pile is of the
best wool, and very closely cut. The Herati design, minutely woven,
often occupies the entire field. Again, a lozenge-shaped figure is in
the centre, and covered with the most delicate tracery. The field of the
rug is often in white or ivory, or in soft blue, red, yellow, or even
peach-blow tint. Yellow is used frequently in the border and corner
areas. Often the finest of these rugs will be puckered near the edges;
that is because the yarn is so tightly twisted in the weaving. Owing in
part to this firm twisting and also to the fine, close knotting, there
is much durability in the best specimens.

_Sirab_ rugs are woven in the village of that name in the district of
Azerbaijan. In Western markets the name has been corrupted, and the rugs
are there called _Serapi_. These rugs come in large sizes, and are of
excellent colors. A medallion of good proportions occupies the field,
and about this floral designs are arranged. Sometimes inscriptions are
seen in the rug.

_Sultanabad_ is one of the most important of the modern rug-producing
regions of Western Asia. Factories are kept busy supplying the market,
and in many cases excellent rugs are manufactured. This is especially
true when old patterns are used, for no modern ones sent out by Western
firms can be deemed worthy to take the place of original Oriental
designs. Large quantities of rugs from this district are exported to the
United States, and are then frequently called _Savalans_. The groundwork
is generally light in color, and the designs are many, while the variety
of brilliant hues is perhaps the largest in Persia. _Muskabad_ is a
trade name for a certain grade of rug from this district.

_Tabriz_ rugs are now supplied in large bales to the trade from
factories that are under Western jurisdiction. They are of well selected
yarn, closely woven, and very durable. The weaving is faultless. The
centre medallion is in a rich color, set in a field of ivory or other
solid color, and decorated with floral forms. The sharply defined corner
areas and the borders also contain floral designs in attractive colors.
Sometimes cartouches with lines from a Persian poet or birds and animal
forms are seen in the borders.

_Yezd_, where the fire-worshippers live, furnishes rugs with a short
pile, but these are used chiefly in mosques, and seldom leave Persia.

A fine Persian rug is valuable, even at the seat of manufacture. A small
one, measuring three by four