Vintage Persian Ardabil Throw Rug

A wool pile of symmetric knots on a cotton foundation. The dark blue field presents a large stepped and serrated square red medallion, with three strongly sawtooth pendants at each end. Within are lazy U-shaped palmettes, along with two pheasants and two hookahs at each end. The drawing is wholly geometric and boldly conceived. Three skinny borders show squares and squared meanders, with a central band of lozenge chains. The dominant central motif overpowers the piece and could work equally well on a larger weaving.