Hayat Davoudi, mid 19th century (294 x 125 cm)

This is one of the oldest of the lion and sun rugs in the catalogue, and its dimensions are much longer than most of the others. Like many Hayat Davoudi rugs, it has bright and lively colors. One of the factors making it appear more colorful and giving greater variety to the lions is its changing color scheme among them and also the disregard of rigid order. For example, in the third row from the bottom, the right-hand lion is missing a paw and its sword, the absence of which is not obvious at first glance and creates no feeling of incompleteness in the beholder. In the same way the mane which frames the lion's face is always black, except in the lion on the third line. The similarity of the heads and the suns with their vertical and horizontal rays increase the splendor and attractiveness of the rug. (Back to article)

From "Lion Rugs; The Lion in Art and Culture of Iran" by Parviz Tanavoli (Trans Book, New York, 1985)