The Persian Mahi rug is one of the classic patterns produced by the masterful carpet weavers in Tabriz. Said to originate in the Herat district of Afghanistan, the so-called Herati or Mahi pattern has been attributed to Farahan and other regions too. Regardless of the attribution, few weavers use the Mahi design as skillfully as those in Tabriz.
"Mahi" or "Mahi to Hos" is a Farsi nickname for an elegant motif known as fish in the pond. The Mahi design is made up of rosettes framed by a vine scroll rhombus and arching saz leaves that often resemble jumping fish with polychromatic stripes, eyes and life-like features. The four-way symmetry of the Mahi motif allows it to be combine seamless in a kaleidoscopic allover pattern or isolated and used on its own.
The Tabriz Mahi motif is used for everything from border motifs to medallions and allover patterns, but the most impressive style is the Persian Tabriz Mahi rug that features an inset medallion decorated with a continuous Mahi pattern. It’s not uncommon for carpets to feature a solitary motif placed in a medallion set over a background of allover Mahi motifs woven in contrasting colors.