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A Guide to Wagireh "Sampler" Rugs

Oriental Rug Review Vol. XII, No. 4, April/May, 1992,

A wagireh is a sampler rug that gives a weaver enough of a pattern to weave a whole rug. The wagireh has to be big enough to transmit the pattern, A Bidjar wagireh, Sotheby's lot 87 (Left) is 8 ft. 11 in. by 5 ft. (2.72 by 1.52 m.), The reason the wagireh is that large is that is how large it needs to show 1 "repeat" of the pattern. In a carpet where the pattern is a small repeat like a Herati pattern a relatively small wagireh is needed. In a carpet where the pattern is large such as the one on the left then the wagireh has to be much bigger. The wagireh to the left would work for a carpet about 8 1/2 by 11. The pattern would repeat twice with the left half mirroring the right half bifurcating on the central axis. It could also be repeated more times for larger carpets.

I have included the cover of Oriental Rug Review Vol. XII, No. 4, April/May, 1992, to give you an idea of what sort of rug A Bidjar Wagireh, Sotheby's lot 87 might have inspired.

The Boralevi Ersari Wagireh

A Bidjar wagireh, lot 87

The Rippon Boswell Bidjar Wagireh

The Rippon Boswell Rare Kurdish Wagireh

The Rippon Boswell Sennah Wagireh

The John Collins Bijar Lion Lattice Wagireh

Bidjar Wagireh Rippon Boswell

Bijar Wagireh

Seen on http://www.van-ham.com/

Auktion: 218, KatNr.: 571

Bidjar-Wagireh.
2. Viertel 20. Jh. 190 x 90cm. Musterstück eines großen Bidjarteppiches.
Zustand C. 300,00 EUR

Seen on: http://www.filippi.net

GERUS WAGIREH -
Kurdistan fine '
800 - 175 x 111

Seen on: www.rippon-boswell-wiesbaden.de

BAGSCHEIESCH WAGIREH, ca. 218x171 cms
North West Persia, Azerbaijan, 19th cent.
Sale of 16th Nov. 1991, # 102
Result: DM 39,440

Seen on: www.rippon-boswell-wiesbaden.de

BIJAR WAGIREH, ca. 239x164 cms
North West Persia, Kurdestan, 19th cent.
Sale of 16th Nov. 1991, # 153
Result: DM 58,000

Seen on: www.Sothebys.com

Sotheby's Auctions » Fulbeck Hall, a Lincolnshire House Sale in London » lot 333

Sale W02930
W - A Bidjar wagireh, North Persia, circa 1890
North Persia, circa 1890
London, Olympia 500—800 GBP Session 2
09 Oct 02 2:00 PM

Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 940 GBP
MEASUREMENTS
176cm. by 141cm.; 5ft. 9in. by 4ft. 8in.
DESCRIPTION
reduced in size, moth damage This lot contains 1 item(s). This lot contains 1 item(s).

Malayer Vaghireh waghireh

Seen on: www.cloudband.com

Malayer Vaghireh

West Persia, Circa 1880
110cm x 128cm
Asymmetrically knotted wool pile on a cotton foundation
Vaghirehs were used as samplers by weavers to show the various patterns within the repertoire of a given area. The overall graphic and chromatic balance of the best of these pieces makes us forget that we are dealing with design model. Indeed these samplers can often be much more fascinating than the actual rug, and, as in this very sweet example, can be considered works of art in their own right.

Ziegler Mahal wagireh, Central Persia, circa 1900

Seen on: www.Sothebys.com

Sotheby's Auctions » The Oak and Country Sale including Furniture, Works of Art, Rugs and Textiles » lot 50

Sale W01300
A Ziegler Mahal wagireh, Central Persia, circa 1900, 112 by 108 cm., 3 ft. 8 in. by 3 ft. 7 in.
London, Olympia 700—1,000 GBP Session 1
27 Sep 01 10:30 AM
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 2,585 GBP
DESCRIPTION
A Ziegler Mahal wagireh, Central Persia, circa 1900, 112 by 108 cm., 3 ft. 8 in. by 3 ft. 7 in.

Caucasian Genge Wagireh rug