Persian Rugs - A Weaving History

Carpet and rug weaving in Iran (Persia) dates back to 3500 years in the bronze age, according to some experts. The oldest evidences of this art date back to the third to fifth centuries AD discovered in Eastern Turkestan, and hand-weavings of the Seljuks of Asia Minor. Carpets from Safavid dynasty (1501-1736) in the 16th century are also some of the earliest products in the history of carpet-weaving.

Although weaving of Persian rugs is predominantly mechanized now, the most popular and expensive ones are still hand woven in many parts of Iran, such as Baluch Rugs, Shiraz Rugs, and Wiss Rugs etc still reflecting the rich art and culture of ancient Persia. The Carpet Museum of Iran in Tehran houses some of the best works in the history of Persian rug weaving.

The motifs in Persian rugs commonly consist of scrolling vine networks, arabesques, palmettes, cloud bands, medallions, and overlapping geometric compartments, with silk, wool and cotton as foundations. The designs are mostly intricate bearing little resemblance to one another but unique to the specific type. However, there are some universal styles of weaving, pattern and design commonly used.

Single and double tied rugs differentiate Anatolian or Turkish and Persian rugs. Anatolian carpets are double tied – which means that for every vertical strand of thread in the rug, it has two knots. The Persian rug is single tied so it has only one knot. This allows finer image to appear on the final product because only the minimum amount of space is given for each vertical strand. This method has largely contributed to the Persian rug’s exquisiteness and popularity.

Persian city rugs such as Isfahan, Nain, Qum, Tabriz, Mashad, Kerman, Kashan etc are made with intricate designs of buds and blossoms supported by vines and tendril, and bordered by arabesques that interlace creating a well-balanced tone. Solid color filed central medallions and triangular corners are also commonly used in design. Central motif or medallion may also be replaced by an all-over design of repetitive floral icons. Blues, reds, browns, and greens are also predominant to create a lavish whole. Ground colors of border and field generally contrast without disrupting the harmony. The curvilinear pattern is achieved by increasing the intensity of knots, usually a 200-300 KPSI (knots per square inch), creating a visually curved line.

Persian Tribal rugs are usually made with natural raw materials such as dye, and mostly hand-woven. They generally have 80-100 KPSI, and designs are mostly geometric which are easier to achieve with wider spaced knots. Traditional dense floral patterns with vases, foliage, palmettes, and garden elements, small animals or plants etc are commonly used in design. These rugs are woven by the tribes in Iranian villages such as Wiss, near Hamedan; Shiraz, Central Iran; Baluch tribe in southern Iran etc. There are also tribal weavers of Caucasian and Turkoman origins. Some of the Persian tribal rugs are quite exception with weaving method following ancient Persian tradition, dating back to thousands of years.

Carpet and rug weaving in Iran (Persia) dates back to 3500 years in the bronze age, according to some experts. The oldest evidences of this art date back to the third to fifth centuries AD discovered in Eastern Turkestan, and hand-weavings of the Seljuks of Asia Minor. Carpets from Safavid dynasty (1501-1736) in the 16th century are also some of the earliest products in the history of carpet-weaving.

Although weaving of Persian rugs is predominantly mechanized now, the mos...

Persian Rugs can enhance your home. Discover the joys of owning a Woven Persian rug!

Tradition And Style In A Persian Rug

Why buy a Persian rug and use it as an area rug? Let us have a look over what area rugs are all about. We all know it: some of the most important elements of homes and spaces in general are the floor coverings and there is hardly a house or apartment without a rug or a carpet. Rugs come in many shapes and sizes and there are thousand of different designs for each one. There are stylish and modern rugs, for places like art expositions or galleries – to fit in or maybe complete the artistic atmosphere of the room. There are also enormous area rugs that match ceiling architectural patterns and cover the halls of museums or public institutions, like Parliament buildings or various palaces and many others.

Although there is a whole rug industry, one must admit that few equal the genuine Persian rugs. A Persian rug has always been the jewel of one’s home. Since the times of the ancient kings and their great empires, Persian rugs have held renown for their finesse and fine appearance. Their tradition lived on to this very day, when handcrafters still manufacture them with great care, to preserve the same qualities that always charmed their lucky owners. Next, we will go over a brief history of Persian rugs and we will learn why buying one as an area rug could be one of the best choices you will ever make in decorating your home.
The earliest Persian rug patterns and designs historically date back to the 15th century, although paintings and writings tend to indicate their existence to even older times, to Ancient Persia (c 3500 BC). They generally range within three groups, based on their size and named accordingly: Farsh - 'Qalii' (greater than 6x4 feet), ‘Qalicheh’ (‘rug’ in translation – 6x4 feet or smaller) and Nomadic (Kilim) – representing rough carpets.

The art of creating rugs exists in Iran since c. 500 BC. It has undergone many changes, based on the political, religious and social aspects of the time passing. There were always many varieties of the themes and styles used, like various geometrical patterns. Moreover, the art displayed mainly focuses on Islamic culture. It has always offered great stories which represented a steady pillar in the creation of the carpets, providing spectacular images of surreal events (godly battles in the skies, hyperbolical features of heroes and gods or simply tales that will live forever in the worldwide culture) – writings that will always offer sensational and mind-thrilling feelings.

The most sought-after type of Persian area rug in, let us say, modern times, is the 16th or 17th century woven Persian rug. One of the most remarkable rugs discovered in modern times is the “Pazyryk” carpet, uncovered beneath the Pazyryk valley, during an archaeological excavation back in 1949, in the tomb of a Scythian prince. Readings showed that its manufacture occurred during the 5th century BC, thus being one of the oldest carpets in the world.

Common 16th and 17th century carpets designs include scrolling vine networks, medallions as well as arabesques and overlapping geometric compartments instead of humans, animals or story-inspired imagery, like the older ones. These motifs will always bring a great artistic touch to every floor they will cover, their royal allure also carrying their well-earned reputation of the great kings’ universal preference in matter of exquisite decorations.

Their lucky owners will nevertheless have to worry about maintaining the “lifespan” of their Persian rug, as it would a pity to treat such a fine work of art without care. In this matter, you can always find the help you need online. Here, on our website, you will find reviews and recommendations concerning all there is to know about how to choose an appropriate area rug or Persian rug and all the other details necessary for owning such a precious floor covering.

By: Rick Martin

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You will find more information concerning how to choose and to maintain a Persian rug or area rug in general, here, on our website.