Posts tagged: Persian rugs types

Persian carpets are beloved worldwide for a multitude of reasons. In bygone eras, these exquisite creations held esteemed status, often bestowed as prestigious gifts. Royals revered them as prayer mats, tokens for esteemed delegates, and symbols of tribal loyalty. Each antique rug was uniquely crafted, boasting unmatched designs—a rarity not found in today’s mass-produced rugs.

Types of Persian carpets typically fall into three main categories: city, village, and tribal. These classifications derive their names from the cities, villages, or tribes where they originate.

City rugs are renowned for their exceptional quality. Crafted by skilled artisans known as “master weavers,” these rugs are often considered works of art. Some master weavers even sign their creations, adding a personal touch to each piece. Primarily a profession for men, weaving city rugs is a full-time career and primary source of income for these artisans.

On the other hand, village and tribal rugs are produced within families or communities. Weavers in villages or nomadic tribes create these rugs, drawing inspiration from their surroundings or cultural heritage. Often crafted from memory or influenced by the weavers’ travels, these rugs serve as an additional source of income for the families involved. While they may not reach the same level of intricacy and refinement as city rugs, village and tribal rugs possess a distinct charm and authenticity, reflecting the traditions and lifestyles of their creators.

Let’s see how many types of Persian carpets are there below:

Pazyryk Rugs

The Pazyryk carpet is one of the oldest known carpets in the world, dating back to the 5th century BCE. It was discovered in the 1940s in the Pazyryk Valley of the Altai Mountains in Siberia, Russia, in the tomb of a Scythian nobleman.

Bhaktiari Rugs

The Bakhtiari carpet, also spelled Bhaktiari, is a type of Persian rug originating from the Bakhtiari tribe, which resides in the Zagros Mountains of Iran. These rugs are renowned for their durability, intricate designs, and vibrant colors. These carpets often feature bold geometric patterns, stylized floral motifs, and intricate medallions. The designs are typically inspired by the natural surroundings of the Bakhtiari region, such as flowers, trees, and animals.

Bakshayesh Rugs

Bakshaish, also spelled Bakshayesh, is situated in modern-day Azerbaijan within Persia and stands as the oldest village of rug weavers in the country. These Persian rugs are not only highly artistic but also depict imagery reflecting traditional tribal livelihoods and classical Iranian designs.

Alternatively referred to as Bakshish, these rugs typically boast larger dimensions compared to those from other regions. Moreover, their designs often highlight central folklore characters in smaller scales alongside rustic, asymmetrical motifs.

In terms of color palette, Bakshaish rugs commonly feature neutral tones like ivory, white, and beige, as well as subdued warm tones and metallic hues. These varied color choices contribute to the rugs’ timeless appeal and versatility in complementing diverse interior styles.

Bijar Rugs

Bijar rugs trace their origins to a bustling market center nestled in Northwestern Iran, situated approximately 150 miles south of Tabriz. These rugs, featuring a traditional Turkish knot, bear a striking resemblance to Kurdish carpets, distinguished by their dense pile.

The name Bidjar is synonymous with durability and strength in the eyes of numerous rug connoisseurs. These rugs are renowned for their robustness, compactness, and exceptional durability. Weavers employ a hefty comb crafted from wood and metal to vigorously beat the weft and knots, resulting in a pile that nearly stands upright. Consequently, the pile is tightly woven, offering minimal permeability. This distinctive weaving technique and superior quality have earned Bidjar rugs the moniker “the king of carpets”.

Esfahan Rugs

From 1598 to 1722, Isfahan also spelled Esfahan, served as the capital of Persia. This city, adorned with Safavid-era Islamic architecture dating back to the 16th century, is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The design of Esfahan Persian rugs are frequently inspired by the tilework found in mosques and the gardens of palaces, predominantly featuring floral motifs. They boast a high knot count, contributing to their esteemed status as some of the finest and highest quality rugs in the country.

Isfahani weavers are renowned for their meticulous attention to achieving technical excellence. As a result, they consistently produce carpets of exceptional quality, characterized by precise knot counts and impeccable symmetry.

Farahan Rugs

The Farahan Persian rugs, originating from the Farahan district located in west-central Iran, is renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and detailed designs.

The production of Farahan rugs peaked during the 19th and early 20th centuries when Persian carpet weaving underwent a significant revival. The region’s weavers adapted traditional styles to the tastes of the Western market while maintaining high standards of quality and design. Today, antique Farahan rugs are considered valuable artifacts that represent the rich cultural heritage of Persian rug-making.

Today’s Farahan rugs are known for their unique color nuances and detailed designs, qualities that have proven impossible to replicate. This distinction is due in part to the fascinating history behind the naturally dyed hues used in older Farahan carpets.

These rugs are highly valued for their sophisticated geometric designs and color palette, particularly for their variations of the classic Herati pattern. This iconic design consists of a central floral motif from which infinite bending leaves radiate, creating a sense of endless intricacy and flow

Gabbeh Rugs

The term “Gabbeh” or “Gabba” comes from the Persian, meaning raw, natural, uncut.” Gabbeh rugs are hand-woven, medium-sized pile rugs known for their coarse quality and abstract designs. These rugs are distinguished by their expansive fields of color and a playful approach to geometric patterns. Gabbehs are particularly popular among the populations of the Zagros Mountains in Iran, including the Kurdish, Luri, and Qashqai communities. Typically, these rugs are crafted by women, reflecting their artistic expression and cultural significance.

These rugs feature simple, rudimentary patterns that typically include a limited number of decorative elements, most often rectangular shapes that resemble animals. These rugs are known for their use of bright colors like yellow and red. While Gabbeh designs often incorporate large, solid fields of color, the hues are variegated, creating a dynamic appearance with zones of varying shades across the rug.

Heriz/Serapi Rugs

Heriz and Serapi rugs are known for their durability and high-quality wool. The prominent, geometric central medallion of Heriz rugs makes them easily recognizable. Typically, products from the Heriz region are larger, with smaller scatter rugs being quite rare.

The traditional Heriz features a distinctly rectilinear medallion design, which has remained relatively unchanged over the years. These rugs often exhibit less pattern repetition, feature a thick pile, and are distinguished by a robust double selvage along the edges.

Kashan/Mohtashan Rugs

The distinctive central medallion design and the rich palette of red, blue, and beige hues set Kashan carpets apart. Their costliness is attributed to the traditional Persian style, the dense knotting, and the use of high-quality wool. Furthermore, Kashan carpets have a direct lineage to the Golden Period of Persian Weaving, which flourished under Shah Abbas.

Kerman Rugs

Kerman, situated in south-central Iran, encompasses both a city and a province. The manufacturing of Kerman rugs typically involves using an asymmetrical knot on a cotton foundation.

The Damask Rose motif reigns as the most favored design element in Kerman rugs, particularly prominent in styles like “Sabzikar Ravar” and “Gol Sorkhi” (Red Rose) rugs. Additionally, Kerman rugs feature a myriad of other renowned motifs including “Ghab Ghora’ani,” “Setooni,” “Ghabi,” “Kheshti,” “Saraam Atiyeh,” “Jangali,” “Shekargah,” “Lachak-Toranj and antique vases.” Antique Kerman carpets often showcase the Toranj motif along borders and narrow lines.

Contemporary Kerman rugs tailored for Western markets often showcase a palette of soft pastel hues like amber, pink, and blue-gray. These rugs may incorporate Western-inspired patterns such as stripes and repetitive motifs, alongside traditional elements like vase and garden themes, animal shapes, and pictorial designs.

Khorassan/Mashad Rugs

Khorasan city carpets are crafted with a cotton base and wool pile, employing the Persian Jufti knot technique since the sixteenth century. This method accelerates weaving by utilizing four warp threads, doubling the speed compared to the traditional two-thread knotting process.

Mashad carpets are celebrated for their intricate designs, often depicting lush gardens and shrubbery. Meanwhile, Herat carpets are distinguished by the Herati design, featuring stylized motifs of leaves and flowers. Safavid-era variations of these carpets are esteemed for their depiction of palmettes, Chahar Bagh (four-garden layout), cypress trees, lattice patterns, and shrub motifs.

Khotan Rugs

East Turkestan’s Khotan, now part of Western China’s Xinjiang Province, held a distinguished status as an ancient center for rug craftsmanship. It was among the first regions outside of China to cultivate silk, flourishing as a pivotal stop along the Silk Road for millennia. As a cultural crossroads, Khotan developed its own intricately detailed rug style by the 18th and 19th centuries.

Antique Khotan rugs rank among the most abundant and exquisite specimens available. In contrast to other carpets from East Turkestan, those originating from Khotan possess a notably more international flair.

Khotan rugs adeptly fuse Chinese and Persian design motifs, creating a unique hybrid style influenced by their strategic proximity to both regions. Consequently, Khotan carpets boast vibrant, mixed hues and a harmonious interplay of contrasting elements. Crafted from either wool or silk, these rugs feature asymmetrical knots and are typically long and slender, characterized by a distinctive lustrous sheen.

Older Khotan rugs often showcase grand medallions, intricate borders, and motifs such as pomegranates, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity.

Malayer Rugs

Antique rugs hailing from the Malayer region epitomize an angular northwest style known for its diverse array of designs and colors.

These carpets boast a captivating assortment of traditional motifs, ranging from lozenge-shaped medallions to intricate allover patterns, all elegantly showcased against chic monochromatic backgrounds.

Malayer Persian rugs often feature authentic Herati designs and are typically crafted on cotton foundations. While their sizes may vary, most rugs exhibit small to medium dimensions, adorned with nomadic patterns and vibrant red hues as their primary color palette.

The quality of Malayer rugs can vary significantly, influenced by factors such as the intricacy of the pattern, the quality of wool used, the age of the rug, and the knot count.

Sarouk Rugs

Another exceptional choice in the Persian rug realm is Sarouk carpets. Originating from Iran, Sarouk Persian rugs stand out with their distinct Iranian heritage, boasting a cotton foundation and striking, harmonious hues.

Renowned for their top-notch quality, Sarouk carpets are distinguished by their exclusive use of cotton, rather than wool, as the primary material. This distinctive feature contributes to their light texture, accentuated by a blue weft and cotton base, rendering them challenging to replicate.

Characterized by a deep pile and light coloration, Sarouk rugs provide a cozy yet sophisticated touch to any space, with a smooth exterior that invites relaxation and warmth.

Senneh Rugs

Senneh Persian rugs shine with their captivating geometric patterns. Renowned for their rich hues of deep crimson, navy, and brown, these carpets are meticulously crafted in the mountainous regions of Kurdistan province in northwest Iran.

Fashioned from fine wool yarn, the pile of Senneh carpets boasts intricate detailing, while the warp and weft are fashioned from sturdy yet less intricate cotton. This combination results in rugs that are not only visually striking but also durable enough for everyday use.

Sultanabad/Mahal Rugs

Sultanabad Persian rugs from the 19th and early 20th centuries have risen to prominence as prized Persian town weavings, captivating collectors and interior designers alike with their timeless appeal.

These coveted rugs attract two key buyer demographics with their remarkable blend of simplicity and startlingly modern designs, coupled with an elegant, often whimsical, and highly ornate aesthetic. As a result, top-tier vintage Sultanabad rugs have become exceedingly rare finds in today’s global market.

The finest examples of ancient Sultanabad carpets boast expansive and exceptionally distinctive variations of traditional Persian allover designs such as the Herati, the Mina Khani, and the Harshang. These designs are often rendered in soft, radiant pastels and earth tones, further enhancing their allure and appeal.

Tabriz Rugs

Tabriz rugs, originating from one of the earliest rug-weaving regions, are distinguished by their tightly packed knots and low pile. These rugs boast a plethora of intricate patterns, ranging from elaborate curvilinear motifs to depictions of lush gardens adorned with diverse floral themes, captivating hunting scenes, and an array of medallions in various sizes and shapes.

Lori Rugs

Lori Persian rugs, named after the region of Loristan in western Iran where they originate, are renowned for their exceptional quality. Hand-knotted with care, these carpets often feature vibrant designs blending floral and geometric motifs.

Crafted using time-honored techniques handed down through generations, the weaving of Lori rugs is a labor of tradition and skill. Notably, Lori rugs are flat-woven textiles, devoid of the characteristic pile found in other rug styles. This flat-weave construction is achieved through a method that eschews knots, resulting in a unique and enduring textile