🌙 The Ancient Paisley of Western Persia — Rare 1920s Persian Malayar Boteh Rug

The Boteh — the ancient Persian curved leaf or paisley motif that has appeared in woven textiles across the Islamic world for more than a thousand years — finds one of its most elegant expressions in the rugs of Malayer, the weaving center of Hamadan province in western Iran. Malayer Boteh rugs from the early 20th century are among the most distinctive and collectible designs in the western Persian rug tradition: their large-scale Boteh medallions, rendered with confident execution on open ivory fields, create compositions of extraordinary visual freshness. This rare 1920s example, hand-knotted from 100% natural wool on a cotton foundation, is a beautiful survivor of Malayer weaving at its most expressive. 🌿

🧵 Hand-Knotted in Persia — 1920s — 100% Natural Wool on Cotton Foundation

Crafted entirely by hand from 100% natural wool pile on a cotton foundation using the traditional Malayer hand-knotting technique, this rug dates to the 1920s when Malayer production maintained its authentic western Persian character. The cotton foundation adds stability and contributes to the clarity and freshness of the design. Full pile throughout with some slight variation in the middle area consistent with authentic use history. Professionally cleaned and treated. ✨

🎨 Large Boteh Design on an Ivory Field

The design centers on a large-scale Boteh (paisley) composition laid upon an ivory field. The ivory ground lifts the Boteh motifs into clear visual relief, allowing their organic curved forms to read with exceptional freshness and impact. The natural dye colors in the Boteh forms range through the characteristic Malayer palette of deep blues, warm reds, and earthy accents. 🌙

📐 Dimensions

At 4 ft 10 in by 6 ft 7 in, this Malayar Boteh is a versatile accent-size piece well-suited to a living room, bedroom, or dining room, proportioned to function as a featured centerpiece in a curated collection of western Persian rugs. 🏡

🌍 The Boteh in Persian Textile History

The Boteh (also known in the West as the paisley) has one of the longest and most widespread histories of any decorative motif in the Islamic textile tradition. Originating in pre-Islamic Persia and appearing in Safavid court textiles of the 16th century, the Boteh migrated through Kashmiri shawl production into European fashion and from there became one of the most globally recognized motifs in decorative art history. In a Malayer tribal-village rug from the 1920s, it carries both the ancient Persian context of its origin and the distinctive western Persian aesthetic of its production. 🌐

✅ Condition

Pre-loved with full pile and some slight variation in middle areas consistent with authentic use history. Professionally cleaned and treated. Photos taken under natural light and accurately reflect condition. Item ID: k1932.

🏡 Perfect For

Collectors of western Persian rugs ✦ Living rooms and bedroom accents ✦ Boteh and paisley design enthusiasts ✦ Anyone drawn to the open ivory-field aesthetic of Malayer tribal-village production 🌙