Antique Persian Carpets
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As the name suggests, Antique Persian Carpets are a type of Persian art - an ancient art form dating back to almost the 5th century according to archeological data.
There are three types of Persian carpets: Farsh / ‘Q?lii’ (Size greater than 6 x4 feet), Q?licheh (Size is 6 x4 feet or more) and Kilim, (rough carpet).
Starting in the Achaemenid period, Persian carpet weaving existed in Iran. There is much archaeological evidence supporting this. The most concrete evidence of Antique Persian Rugs was found in the grave of a Scythian prince.
In the 6th century, Persian carpets made of wool and silk became popular. History tells us that the famous T?qdis throne was covered with thirty special Persian carpets representing thirty days of a month and four other Persian carpets representing the four seasons of a year.
Persian carpet weaving also existed during the reigns of the Seljuq and Ilkhanate dynasties, as shown in the mosque built by Ghazan Khan in Tabriz. This mosque is covered with fine Persian carpets depicting miniature paintings of the Timurid era.
These Persian carpets are even exported and are in great demand in international markets. Both large Persian Rugs and smaller carpets are in great demand; small Persian carpets were in fact first used for offering prayers.
Nowadays Persian carpets can be machine woven, but even then the traditional hand-woven Persian carpets are in demand. The hand woven Persian carpets do tend to cost more compared to machine woven Persian carpets.
Throughout Iranian History this art form has undergone many changes. The Persian carpet is traditionally hand made from natural ingredients like wool, cotton and silk, with wool as the most commonly used ingredient.
Silk Persian Carpets, which are more expensive and less durable, date back to the 17th century. Traditional craftsmen mend the Persian carpet with help of traditional tools.
Persian carpets were mainly manufactured in the Tarbiz, Kashan, Heart and Kerman regions of Iran.
Tribal Persian Rugs are mainly made of single knots. The Persian carpet is made with a single looping knot also called as Persian or Senneh Knot as against 2 knots of Anatolian Carpet. Based on the design, type of fabric, weaving technique and the city where the Persian carpet was made, it can be classified into over 60 categories.
Origin Of Persian Rugs
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The carpet is the finest and most exquisite form of expression one can find in Iran. The best Antique Persian Rugs available today rank amongst the highest level of art ever attained by mankind.
Even today, with Iranians increasingly being swallowed up in the whirlpool of a fast expanding industrial, urban society, the Persian association with the carpet is as strong as ever.
An Iranian’s home is bare and soulless without it, a reflection on the deep rooted bond between the people and their national art. The element of luxury with which the Persian carpet is associated today provides a marked contrast with its humble beginning among the nomadic tribes that at one time wandered the great expanse of Persia in search of their livelihood.
Back then, it was an article of necessity to protect the tribes from the bitterly cold winters of the country. But out of necessity was born art. Through their bright colors and magical designs, the floor and entrance coverings that protected the tribesmen from the ravages of the weather also brought gay relief to their dour and hardy lives.
In those early days Persian Rugs were often small and dependent upon the size of the tents of room in which the people lived. Before the dyeing process could begin, the wool had to be washed and dried in the sun to bleach it.
The clean wool as then spun by hand. Since the tribes were constantly on the move and had only small vessels in which to hold the dyes, the dyers were unable to achieve a uniformity in shades, with yarn displaying varying tones of the same color.
The wool was loosely dipped into dyeing vats and left for a time that could be judged only by the expert craftsman. Then the wool was left to hang without being squeezed, which would have left an uneven coloring. Later the wool was dried in the sun.
Certainly when the Mongols invaded the country in the 13th century, they found many Persian homes and tents boasting local carpets. But for the next two centuries, the artistic life of the country, including carpet weaving, declined under the influence of the devastation wreaked by the Mongols.
But, among his few graces, the conqueror Tamerlane spared artisans from his bloody havoc and had them sent to his palaces in Turkistan. Under his successor art began to flourish once more.
His son Shah Rokh put a great emphasis on Tribal Persian Rugs and outstanding specimens began to appear once more from court subsidized looms. The lavish royal support guaranteed the highest skills and the finest materials money could buy. Once more the art was for a great climax.
Types Of Antique Persian Rugs
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Persian Rugs are highly sought after works of art. If you are gaining an interest in these masterpieces, it is important to know the different types of rugs available. Although the list may seem endless, we can break it down into a few distinct categories based on origin, dominant colors, and patterns.
Northwestern Iran
A number of Antique Persian Rugs are made in Northwestern Iran. They are the Borchelu, Hamadan, Zanjan (or Zenjan), and Heriz rugs. The Borchelu are known for their bright colors and use of elements from natures. Reds and burgundies dominate, with blues, greens and ivories also present.
They are one of a kind, woven by nomadic women, usually with their eldest daughters apprenticing. Zenjan means “ideal wife.” These rugs are produced in a northwest province of Iran. They are usually bright and lively in color and pattern.
Very similar to the Zenjan rugs are Tarom Rugs. Tarom weavers use geometric styles, in a primitive and simple manner. The colors that frequently appear are combinations of salmon, baby blue, and navy blue. Reds are seldom seen.
Heriz rugs can be identified by their earth tones. The most dominant color is usually rust, and their pattern contains a large medallion at the center or some other geometric pattern. Heriz rugs are particularly durable and have an unusually rich pile.
Hamadan District
The second type, the Hamadan rugs, use geometric designs, as well as florals or overall Herati designs. Their most distinctive feature is that they have fringe on only one end of the rug.
Malayer Rugs are produced within the Hamadan district, but they have taken on some of the characteristics of Arak weavers, who live south of Hamadan. Malayer rugs are usually single wafted rugs, but sometimes double-wafted. In general, they are finer than the rugs of those from whom they draw influence.
Also near the Hamadan district, Wiss rugs are produced. They too, use the combination of geometric and floral patterns. Wiss rugs are of a very high quality, in both their weaving and their dyes. Among Tribal Persian Rugs, they are very highly regarded.
Southern Iran
The nomadic Baluch produce rugs that are very simple, often with a prayer rug design. Burgundies dominate, with navy and ivory appearing as well. They are always one of a kind, with no duplicates anywhere.
Gabbeh rugs are woven by the nomadic people of Southern Iran. They are known for their thick pile and simple, sparse designs, with large fields of color and bold stripes.
Sirjans, made in southern Iran, use very simple designs. Along with geometric motifs, small animals or plants are often seen in parts of these rugs.
Central Iran
Bakhtiari Rugs are woven by villagers, the pattern tends to be geometric or semi-geometric. The designs tend to be very crowded and busy. Many colors may appear in one rug, including reds, blues, greens, browns, and ochers. The rugs usually feature a geometric element combined with a motif from nature, such as a cypress tree, grapevine, or bird on a branch.
Shiraz, an ancient city in central Iran, is the source of a very simple weave of rug that is highly desired by those who want a warm and comfortable rug to use in everyday life. The pile is cut unevenly in a shaggy style. Reds predominate, as do geometric motifs, small animals or plant elements. The selvages are almost done using two colors, to create a barber-pole effect.
Kurdish Tribal Rugs
Kurdish Rugs are woven throughout Iran as the Kurds migrated to all areas of Iran and established tribes. The Kurdish elements can be seen in the tribal rugs of many peoples. Luri rugs are made by nomadic Luri people, descendants of the Kurds. Their styles are quite similar, with bright colors and traditional floral patterns. These are Antique Persian Rugs with practical value, woven as floor coverings, saddle blankets, and for other such practical needs.
Senneh rugs are of an extremely fine quality. They bear many similarities to Kurdish rugs, but have their own characteristics. They use geometric designs, often hexagonal medallions, or vertically connected medallions. Senneh rugs use a multitude of colors in both background and foreground.
Turkish Tribal Rugs
Qashqai rugs are woven by a tribe who speak a Turkish dialect. Qashqai weavers have one of the best reputation in all the region. Their rugs are all wool, usually in red and ivory, with alternately deep weaves and a fine weave. The edges are most often finished with a selvage that uses two colors, creating a barberpole effect.
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