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Persian Rugs

Rugs From Iran (Persia)

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Persian Rugs History

Known as the home of the original oriental carpet, Iran (Persia) the oldest and once most powerful empire in the Middle East, stood at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations. Under the Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736), Iran attained its artistic height. Court weaving, together with the arts of calligraphy, miniature painting, and tile work, flourished to exceptional heights. This brilliant era witnessed the development of highly qualified carpet factories in the cities of Kerman, Isfahan, Kashan, Tabriz, and Herat. Iran is the genesis of most motifs, patterns and traditional colorations produced in rugs throughout the world today. Over the centuries, Persian carpets have become treasured heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next.

Persian carpet exports began in the 16th century. Starting in the 1850s, American, English and German firms established new factories in Mashed, Tabriz, Kerman, and Sultanabad (now Arak), thereby ensuring the art form's continued development. Under Reza Shah Pahlavi, royal factories were established to utilize the finest materials and methods of manufacture.

Persian carpets and rugs have always been and still are an intrinsic part of Iranian culture and its people's daily lives. Indeed, carpets and rugs are in many cases the most valued possessions, and they are an integral part of an Iranian home. Thus, it is not surprising that current production levels throughout Iran equal those reached prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979. In fact, rugs are now even produced in areas where weaving was heretofore not practiced. Furthermore, Persian carpets continue to boast very high quality standards and command a very brisk interest in domestic and international markets. While large city workshops were an important factor in the past, much of today's production is fashioned along cottage industry lines in smaller villages and towns.

Persian carpets are traditionally known for their tremendous variety in design, color, size, and weave. Moreover, they are known for the uniqueness of each and every rug produced. Rugs are generally named after the village, town or district where they are woven or collected, or by the weaving tribe in the case of nomadic pieces. Each rug's particular pattern, palette, and weave are uniquely linked with the indigenous culture, and weaving techniques are specific to an identifiable geographic area or nomadic tribe.

Source: Susie Beringer at Texas Christian University.

Khorassan

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Persian rugs were initially simply necessities for homes of the nomads, protecting the inhabitants from harsh, cold elements. Through their bright colors and magical designs, Persian rugs were much more than floor coverings providing warmth and comfort. They were also a form of literary expression, bringing happiness and enchantment to tent homes of the desert wanderers.

The intrinsic beauty of Persian rugs found new owners in kings and noblemen looking for symbols of wealth to adorn their palaces. Persian rugs reveal a glance into a world of artistic excellence nurtured over more than 2500 years. The Persians were among the first carpet weavers of the ancient civilizations and through centuries of creativity and ingenuity, achieved a reputation around the world for their craftsmanship.

To make a carpet in the early days required tremendous perseverance. Even with a few weavers working together, it took months or even years to construct a single rug. When it came time for the tribe to migrate to another area, the entire loom was dismantled and the rug folded and put away. With spring's arrival, the loom would be set up again and the tribesmen and women would continue the weaving process continuing the tradition of Persian rugs that continues to today.

Today, with Iranians being increasingly swallowed up in an urban, industrial society, their love of the carpet and the tradition of Persian rugs is as strong as ever. To them it's a symbol of pride, because a home is bare and soulless without one. And to this day, Iran produces more Persian rugs than all other rug producing nations combined.

Most Popular Persian Rugs

Persian rugs can be classified into Persian City Rugs and Persian Tribal Rugs. Each type within these two is normally named after the city or tribal name in which it is manufactured and designed. These are some of the most popular Persian rugs (the first four fall under Persian City Rugs).

Afshar Tabriz Kashan