Ardabil Carpet
Ardabil is a city near the coast of the Caspian Sea, and
is probably responsible for one of the oldest and most famous
carpets in existence today, the 34' x 17' masterpiece housed
in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Ardabil rugs
usually have the famous Mahi (Herati) design, with a diamond
medallion and small fish throughout. An allover pattern
is sometimes seen in an Ardabil. Usually their weavers will
incorporate a lot of silk into the woolen pile to accentuate
some highlights in the pattern. Some modern Ardabils have
started to migrate from the traditional Herati pattern to
bolder geometric patterns. In addition to the usual beiges,
rusts and blues, many up-to-the-minute colors can be observed
in the newer Ardabils, such as a turquoise and purple.
About Isfahan Carpet
Among the finest handmade carpets ever made. Isfahan rugs
are the pinnacle of the Persian carpet. In an enchanted
city. renowned for its taste and finesse, these carpets
are of great delicacy and utmost intricacy. The city of
Isfahan holds pride of place in the Persian rug industry
because of its rich history and reputation dating back to
the 16th century. Most Isfahan carpets are finely detailed
in wool and silk, often on a base of pure silk. Until the
middle of the 20th century colors were mostly stronger,
like bold reds and blues on the ubiquitous beige. But later
comes the visible influence of the international Designer,
with more subdued ranges of subtler colors. Still, at the
sight of curvilinear vines snaking over an elegant field
around an exquisite medallion, especially if the long fringes
glisten silkily from magnificent borders, the word 'Isfahan'
tends to spring to one's lips. Patterns include pictorial
and tree-of-life schemes, as well as the Shah Abbas field
with its floral vines.
History & Construction
Besides the legendary cities of central Iran. such as Tehran.
Isfahan, Kashan, Yazd, and Kerman, there are many smaller
towns scattered throughout this area that also weave carpets
of very high quality. Some of these small towns near Tehran
are Veramin. Tafresh, Boroujerd, Khomaine and Taleghan,
and, near Isfahan, are Najafabad, Josheghan, and the village
of Maymeh. There are also a few near Kashan that produce
fine rugs, such as Yazd and Ardekan. Kashan and Isfahan,
being among the pioneers from the 16th century, have had
enormous influence on their surroundings. Najafabad produces
the designs of Isfahan, and Yazd and Ardekan the famous
designs of Kashan, almost indistinguishably. An expert weaver
in one of these cities will work non-stop on a carpet for
many years. The famous asymmetrical Persian knot is generally
the one used. The materials can be all wool, all silk or
a mixture of the two. The foundation is usually cotton,
except in very fine pieces, where it can be pure silk. Although
rugs produced in the major cities of this region are technically
superior to the ones produced on the outskirts, these pieces
from the smaller towns of central Iran are still among the
best. Many carpets from this area have been known to last
several hundreds of years.
Bakhtiari
The best known BAKHTIARI rug design is the Garden carpet
with flower- and tendril-filled compartmental designs (KHESHTI
Design). Another important BAKHTIARI design consists of
a decorated field with lattice designs and floral ornaments
that are as distinctly executed as the well-drawn medallion
carpets of Saman.
Quality: There is a wide variation in quality and prices
among carpets from this region, ranging from consumer carpets
up to excellent collector's pieces. Hori carpets are generally
of lower quality, while Bibibaff, Chapel Shotur and Saman
pieces are good to excellent.
Size & Shapes: Small and Large rugs up to 1.50 x 2.20m
and occasionally narrow runners are produced. Room-sized
carpets up to 4 x 5m are woven in workshops.
Color: There is great variety of color in the carpets produced
in the several hundred villages of this area. The principal
colors include many shades of white and ivory, as well as
various reds, browns, greens, and yellows. Natural dyes
generally produce a harmonious range of color
Texture: Even with wool obtained from the weaver's own herd,
there are still varying degrees of quality, ranging from
dull to extremely glossy. The pile is clipped medium-high
to high.
Foundation: Warp and weft are of cotton.
Baluch
The most dominant feature of BALUCH carpets is a pattern formed by the repetition of highly stylized camel's foot-or pear-shaped medallions surrounded on all sides by geometric borders. The result is a very geometric and intricate design that borrows largely from TURKMEN style, especially in the use of the "gul" motif.
Quality: BALUCH rugs are of excellent quality. They last for many years.
Size & Shapes: BALUCH rugs are usually small (2 x 3 to 4 x 6 feet). Larger sizes exist, but are hard to find. Finished rugs are nearly square.
Color: Dark red or blue contrasted with splashes of white, yellow and orange. Powerful blues predominate, with ivory as a contrasting color.
Texture: Soft wool, thin, tight pile. Foundation; The majority of BALUCH rugs comes from two areas:
• The Taimani Tribe in Afghanistan
• The Baluch Tribes from IRAN
About Isfahan Carpet
Among the finest handmade carpets ever made. Isfahan rugs are the pinnacle of the Persian carpet. In an enchanted city. renowned for its taste and finesse, these carpets are of great delicacy and utmost intricacy. The city of Isfahan holds pride of place in the Persian rug industry because of its rich history and reputation dating back to the 16th century. Most Isfahan carpets are finely detailed in wool and silk, often on a base of pure silk. Until the middle of the 20th century colors were mostly stronger, like bold reds and blues on the ubiquitous beige. But later comes the visible influence of the international Designer, with more subdued ranges of subtler colors. Still, at the sight of curvilinear vines snaking over an elegant field around an exquisite medallion, especially if the long fringes glisten silkily from magnificent borders, the word 'Isfahan' tends to spring to one's lips. Patterns include pictorial and tree-of-life schemes, as well as the Shah Abbas field with its floral vines.
History & Construction
Besides the legendary cities of central Iran. such as Tehran. Isfahan, Kashan, Yazd, and Kerman, there are many smaller towns scattered throughout this area that also weave carpets of very high quality. Some of these small towns near Tehran are Veramin. Tafresh, Boroujerd, Khomaine and Taleghan, and, near Isfahan, are Najafabad, Josheghan, and the village of Maymeh. There are also a few near Kashan that produce fine rugs, such as Yazd and Ardekan. Kashan and Isfahan, being among the pioneers from the 16th century, have had enormous influence on their surroundings. Najafabad produces the designs of Isfahan, and Yazd and Ardekan the famous designs of Kashan, almost indistinguishably. An expert weaver in one of these cities will work non-stop on a carpet for many years. The famous asymmetrical Persian knot is generally the one used. The materials can be all wool, all silk or a mixture of the two. The foundation is usually cotton, except in very fine pieces, where it can be pure silk. Although rugs produced in the major cities of this region are technically superior to the ones produced on the outskirts, these pieces from the smaller towns of central Iran are still among the best. Many carpets from this area have been known to last several hundreds of years.
About Kashan Carpets
Kashan is an important city in central Iran, with a magnificent history of carpet weaving dating from the 16th century. Classic pieces show a diamond-shaped medallion with small matching spandrels on a floral field, but all-over fields of Shah Abbas flowers, pictorial and hunting scenes are also found. They are mostly in wool. but some have been woven in pure silk. Traditional theme colors are reds and blues, but more recently Kashans have been woven in paler beiges, with greyish-blue and olive-green tones, for the international market.
History & Construction
Kashan is an ancient Persian city renowned for its magnificent carpets. Its natives proudly share in the respect given to these. In the past. kings and rulers from afar would come in person to purchase rugs from Kashan. On display in major museums around the world, some older pieces date from the 16th or 17th century when Kashan was given one of the first Royal workshops, and became one of main centres responsible for the legend of the Persian carpet. It is thought, by some scholars, to be the city where the famous 'Ardebil' carpets might have been woven. By the end of the Second World War, it was estimated that the city of Kashan could operate some 12,000 professional looms simultaneousl^nhe famous asymmetrical Persian knot is the only one used in the weaving of these fine carpets, with patterns ranging from the classic medallion, through fields of Shah Abbas flowers, to magnificent pictorial and hunting scenes. The materials can be all wool, all silk (the famous "Silk Kashans'), or a combination of the two. The foundations are generally of cotton, except in the finest pieces where it is of pure silk.
Mashad
Located in north-eastern Iran, Mashad is the capital of Khorassan province and an important center of the carpet weaving industry. It is also considered the most holy city of Iran, because it houses the shrine of Imam Reza who is very dear to Muslims around the world. Mashad carpets have elegant medallions on floral fields, with color schemes of red or blue. They sometimes copy classic Kashan patterns, and sometimes all-over Herat! details which may be marketed as Khorassan.
History & Construction
The province of Khorassan is the biggest in Iran, stretching across the north-east of the country. The capital city is Mashad, where most rugs of the area come to market. Some other rug-producing centers in this region are Kashmar (Turshis), Moud, Sabzevar, Ghain, and Birjand, most of which are situated very close to Mashad. The king, Shah Abbas, would regularly seize and destroy badly woven carpets, and those with inferior coloring techniques, to guarantee the highest standards of this ancient art. In 1722 there was an Afghani invasion into Iran which left the country in a state of political confusion, and the rug industry in a state of disrepair, especially in well-established areas such as Mashad. Fortunately Khorassan was able to restart the rug industry, as the Royal court of Iran did much to help. Many Baluch-style rugs are also woven by Baluchi nomads who inhabit areas in the south!
About Nain
Among the finest carpets in the world, the word Nain is sometimes used in Iran as a synonym for 'fine'. These elegant carpets are produced in and around the city of Nain. some 60 miles east of the enchanted city of Isfahan. A favorite of many collectors, Nains are precise, delicate and can be stunningly beautiful. They are woven on cotton, or on silk of varying degrees of quality, and are mostly beige and blue, with stunning silken highlights. The blues can vary from the deepest midnight to the palest sky, with royals and spectacular turquoises along the way. Typical details include the curvilinear vines with forked leaves, Shah Abbas flowers, birds and animals, and regal borders. Many are signed, and for a genuine Habibian signature it is permitted to sell the farm.
History & Construction
Although Nain is not a very old rug-weaving city, it is well established and among the most valued carpet-producing centers in Iran. It has adopted most of its skills from the very ancient, neighboring city of Isfahan. Customs and traditions here have changed very little in the past century/For many generations, the people of Nain produced a superior quality of handmade woolen cloth used to make traditional garments and fine wool cloaks, until just prior to WWII in the 1930s. After the war, Iranians began to adopt western clothing styles, and the market for these fabrics dwindled. Thus the highly developed knowledge and skill of Nain's fine textile industry were transferred to the making of handmade carpets. Nain's reputation for the finest quality weaving was once again established in modern times. Its talented master weavers may take several years to complete a single carpet. Though very similar in appearanceto Isfahans. they are easily identifiable because of their distinctive color scheme and smooth, closely clipped pile. Nain carpets usually feature an overall arabesque and curvilinear floral pattern of blues against a warm beige or ivory background, with touches of greens and whites.
QASHQAI carpet and runners usually have geometric patterns, including geometric animal and bird drawings used both as part of the repeat patterns and as filler ornaments. The borders of QASHQAI rugs and carpets in particular include many highly developed floral designs. As with other nomad rugs/ multiple borders are a sign of later weavings.
Quality: QASHQAI rugs and runners vary in quality. Older QASHQAI rugs and runners (around 1950) are very good, but some of the newer ones are made with chemical rather than vegetable dyes and are of tower quality.
Size & Shapes: QASHQAI rugs and runners come in different sizes, but the majority of them are mid-size (4 x 6 to 8 x 10 feet).
Texture: Soft wool; thin, tight pile.
Foundation: Warps is wool or cotton; wefts is either cotton or wool.
Knots: Inspection of the back of the carpet is important because the weavers in the QASHQAI tribe use flat weave.
About Qum Carpet
Qum carpets are among the finest in the world. Although it does not boast a long and ancient history, Qum. south of Tehran, creates exceptional works of art, frequently entirely in pure silk. The carpet industry of this city is incredibly modem, producing quality which is extraordinary. Prices tend to be very high, reflecting superb quality of materials, design and execution. Syles and patterns vary tremendously, as this city usually recreates ancient historical patterns from many other noble sources. Most respected are hunting scenes or other pictorials, not to mention the brilliant medallions and borders of unbelievable finesse.
History & Construction
The city of Qum is considered a sacred place among Iranians, where many make pilgrimages for inner peace with God. Its weaving industry, started only in the 20th century, has developed an unequalled reputation for spectacular pieces of pure hand-woven silk. Qum has no pattern unique to this city. so its carpets are produced in a variety of beautiful and historic designs, demanding prices in the highest range of all Persian weaving. Brilliantly detailed medallions, all-over patterns of the greatest intricacy, and breath-taking pictorials and hunting scenes, attest to the craftsmanship of Iran's finest master-weavers/Some pieces of fine wool are also made there. Although signatures are found on fine rugs made elsewhere, the weavers of Qum take such enormous pride in their product that they almost always weave their signatures into a small part of the carpet's border. Many shapes and sizes are produced, including squares, rectangles, oval or round, and the sizes may vary from a very small rug to a carpet which would suit the grand salon of a palace. The materials used can be wool, silk, or any combination of the two.
SOUMAK is a comparatively rare type of KELIM, deriving its name from the old town of SHEMAKJA (Republic of Azerbaijan). SOUMAK is NOT a KELIM. However, both have flat-woven style. SOUMAK has embroidered and its embroidery threads are not cut off at the back. SOUMAK has a shaggy, erratic collection of loose ends or strands of wool. The wefts strands (serving a decorative role rather than the structural role of knotted carpets) are threaded through a number of warp strands and then looped back. All SOUMAK have geometric pattern with many tribal motifs all around. Usually the motifs are small birds. SOUMAK's are excellent with contemporary, traditional and modern decors.
Quality: The quality of SOUMAK is excellent. SOUMAK is better known in western countries than IRAN. SOUMAKs are proper choice for high traffic area. The ones have silk are excellent choice as decorative rug.
Size & Shapes: The SOUMAKs have different size and majority of them are small size (2x3 feet) and mid size (4x6 feet). It is hard to find SOUMAK in large size (8x10 feet).
Color: Dark red, pink, khaki, soft green, blue, dark green, light blue, ivory, brown, rust, and orange are the majority color texture.
Texture: Soft wool, thin and in the case of silk ones have extremely smooth and shiny texture.
Foundation: Warps are mostly wool or silk, wefts either cotton.wool or silk. The ends of the fibers are usually left loosely on the back.
Knots: SOUMAK dose NOT have any knots like other rugs and carpets. SOUMAK are flat- woven
About Tabriz Rug
Tabriz is an ancient city In north-western Iran, and the most prolific of all carpet centres. The quality in their carpets is generally exceptional,
with most on a base of fine cotton, but sometimes on pure silk. There are many unique designs but typically the pattern in a Tabriz rug is filled with dense floral
motifs, large palmettes, vases, or vivid hunting scenes or pictorials in the field. These can be with or without a medallion, and geometric designs are also seen.
Tabriz has sub-styles as well. These include the restrained and elegant 'Mahi' In co-ordinated borders of subdued tones that fit in anywhere; the Naqsheh, with its
plethora of pinks on beige, or very occasionally, black; and the wild but beautiful Tabatabaie, always in touches of orange, lemon green and beige.
The finer Naqsheh and Mahi
are mostly in highly-priced Kurk wool, and silk is often used to outline lavishly the highlights of the rug.
History & Construction
Tabriz is probably the most prolific carpet-producing center in the world, and certainly one of the oldest. This enchanted city was established more than a thousand years ago. After many invasions, occupations and wars, Tabriz took the ancient techniques of the past and created a huge rug-exporting industry. The finest era of Persian rug weaving was the Safavid Dynasty (1499 -1722), when the Safavids overthrew the Turks who had occupied Tabriz. They gave the city one of the first Royal workshops, making it the artistic center of Persian culture. In spite of all the later conquests and political restructurings, / Tabriz managed to keep these ancient traditions alive. Today, many rugs produced in Tabriz emulate the artististic heritage of the Persian Safavid carpet, and when a designer in any part of the world wants to commission a certain pattern to be hand-woven, Tabriz is the city that he visits. Attesting to their pride in producing fine carpets, the master-weavers of Tabriz often weave their signature into a part of the carpet's border. These signatures can, of course, be found on extremely fine rugs made in other cities, but a signature on the 'ceremonial' border of a Tabriz Naqsheh is the ultimate in formality and sophistication. The material used for the pile of these rugs are wool, silk, or a combination of the two. A beautiful blend of fine Kurk wool and silk is the most common in a fine Tabriz, with wool only used in those of average quality. In the very finest carpets, the foundation of the rug is pure silk instead of cotton, and some even have 18 or 24 karat gold threads woven into the foundation.
(some of the many hundreds of beautiful patterns are still owned by private families), the intricate, restrained Mahi (the Decorator's carpet), or the magnificent Dome, depicting the internal architecture of a mosque.
About Turkoman
Turkoman rugs are handmade in north-western and eastern Iran, parts of Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Syria, and other parts of the Caucasus. They are generally very soft and lush and very similar to one another, and very distinguishable from other Persian rugs. The patterns are normally all-over geometric details, known as 'guls', repeated in straight lines on the field, with the most popular color being a rich burgundy, exclusive to the Turkomans. These guls vary from one tribe to the other, and also appear in the Bokhara pattern of Kasmir where they are often called the 'lucky elephant's foot'. Background colors can also be found in navy blue, black or a series of beiges. These are sometimes referred to as Caucasian carpets.
YALAMEH rugs and runners have tribal patterns and a very warm look. A unique characteristic is three or more diamond-shaped medallions in a straight line. They are great with modern furniture.
Quality: YALAMEH rugs and carpets are among the best tribal rugs and carpets woven in IRAN.
Size & Shapes: YALAMEH rugs and carpets come in different sizes, but the majority of them are mid-size (4 x 6 to 8 x 10 feet).
Color: Dark red and light brown on a blue or orange background are the main colors in YALAMEH rugs and carpets.
Texture: Soft wool; thin, tight pile
Foundation: Warps is wool or cotton; wefts is either cotton or wool.
Knots: Usually you see flat woven rugs in YALAMEH, but there are some rugs with pile that have turkish knots.
