19th century Heriz and Bakshaish rugs are among the most striking and recognizable oriental antique carpets within the Persian repertoire. Familiar configurations of powerful flowerhead medallions, complementary spandrels and borders with angular stylized vinery, floral infill and bold palmettes rendered in an inimitably geometric fashion, have a charming simplicity of line. Despite their origins in fairly sophisticated workshops, a strong tribal quality exists in these particular antique Persian rugs. Both Heriz (sometimes known as Serapi) and Bakshaish rugs may be found with all-over designs and abstract interpretations of willow trees or ascending shield palmettes. In all but scale, these room sized carpets are redolent of the small antique Kazak rugs made by the Caucasian villagers to the north. Robustly constructed with large knots and often on a grand scale, the colors range from jewel tones of cherry red, navy blue and saffron yellow, to pale terracotta, sea foam, powder blue and ivory. These dynamic northwest Persian antique rugs and carpets have the flexibility to suitably adorn a broad spectrum of interiors, from a traditional gentleman's library to a cutting edge contemporary loft space.