We can't present any more than a superficial introduction to the History of Persian Carpets and Rugs here.
This is an enormous topic which has formed the subject of much research and many books. Originally carpets were made for the practical purpose of covering walls and floors of nomadic tents. This practice started back in the mists of time before any written records began and still continues today. However, as the craft became more sophisticated, fine carpets became symbols of wealth in the courts of kings, queens and emperors.
Bakhtiari:
Bakhtiari rugs come from Chahar Mahal, a region within Isfahan Province where the Bakhtiari tribes settled. A Charleshotor rug is the finest example of a Bakhtiar.
Belouch:
Meaning nomad, are a tribal group of herdsmen who occupy a huge largely inhabitable area that stretches from Eastern Persia through Afghanistan and into Western Pakistan. Meshed Belouch get their name from the main town of the Khorassan Province although the rugs are woven in various areas, producing good quality commercial rugs.
Bidjar:
Located in the heart of Persian Kurdistan, Bidjar produce finely woven and at the same time extremely hard-wearing and robust carpets. In addition, because the wool is of a very high quality, they are able to create intricate designs.
Gabbeth:
Gabbeh rugs are made in the Fars Province, predominantly by the Kashgai Tribe. They have long thick pile and simple bold designs. Unlike most other types of rugs the weaver does not work to any pattern, but simply creates what is in his or her mind. Thus you usually find stylized figures, plants and animals which forms part of the Nomad's daily life.
Hamadan:
The largest weaving centre in Persia. Today over 100 villages in the area weave rugs, producing various qualities of which Chenar, Hosseinabad, Injilas, Lilihan, Malayer, Songor, Tajabad are some of the finest.
Heriz:
A large and famous carpet weaving village in North West Persia. Well known for making extremely hard-wearing carpets in bold geometric designs, usually with a large central motif.
Kashgai:
The largest of Persia's Nomadic Tribes inhabiting the Fars Province of South West Persia for hundreds of years. Many have settled in the villages around Shiraz and produce beautiful rugs of excellent quality. Their nomadic lifestyle has not changed for generations, using the wool from the sheep they breed and dyes extracted from plants and insects.
Keshan:
Probably the most famous name in Persian carpets, it is a town renowned for its textiles, producing exceptional rugs and carpets in both wool and silk. Today there are many villages around Keshan producing an array of qualities in classic medallion and floral designs.
Moud:
A weaving centre the Khorassan Province of Persia producing goo quality hard-wearing rugs and carpets.
Sarouk:
Situated South West of Tehran and is an important weaving centre. The best carpets of the region are the Sarouks. Sarouk is only a tiny village and produces very few rugs. Most of these carpets are made in other villages but they are still known as Sarouk
Luri:
One of Persia's most significant and distinguished Nomadic Tribes live in the South and West, very close to the Kashgai. Their rugs are also very similar to Kashgai ones.
Shiraz:
Major weaving area of the Fars Province of South West Persia. Made with soft fine wool in geometric designs.
Tabriz:
Llocated in the North West, is the third largest town in Persia and is one of the most important production centres of the country. It produces rugs from good commercial quality to some of the finest in the world.
Kilim:
A flat woven rug with no pile. The design is woven through the warps and wefts using different coloured wool. Kashgai Kilims are made in the South West Fars Province of Persia mainly by the Nomads of the Kashgai Tribe.
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It is important to realise that, due to the limitations of computer technology, the colour of the rug or carpet may vary slightly from what appears on your computer screen. We have literally thousands of rugs and carpets in stock at all times, so if you cannot find exactly what you are looking for, please contact us with your specific requirements.
