Lilian is located in West Iran 80 km South-East of Arak. It is mainly inhabited by Armenians. Lilian rugs are in general thoroughly and precisely made relatively heavy Oriental rugs. The wool of these rugs is rather shiny and soft, the designs are mostly generous large floral palmets. The Persian knot is used as opposed to the more common Turkish know. Geographically Lilian rugs are considered to be from the Mahal/Arak region.
This Lilian, ca. 1920 has a "Herati" or "Mahi" design (has its origin in Herat, ca. 16th century, short for "Mahi to Hos" meaning "fish in the pond"). A rosette is surrounded by a rhombus which is again surrounded by four bent leaves. The name "Mahi" meaning "fish" was given to this design because the leaves resemble swimming fish.
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