Persian Carpets - Magnificent art of Iranians

In ancient times, people living in Iranian Plateau and Asia were always craving heaven appointed in holy books like Quran, Bible, and Avesta. Heaven is described as a place full of evergreen cypress, plane and fruit trees, rivers and ditches of clean water, colorful flowers, and singing birds. The desire for the promised heaven led into growing Persian Gardens in the heart of barrens and producing Persian carpets (Iranian carpets) according to what mentioned in the holy books and what the people had heard in legends. The noble Persian carpets have been woven with different weaving techniques, designs, and colors for thousands of years and in different regions of the vast country of Iran, and today it is famous worldwide, as it is one of the most popular souvenirs of Iran among the travelers. Persian carpet price might seem very high at first, but there are so many styles of Persian carpet with different knot densities, colors, designs, and prices that make purchases more pleasant and easier. Below is the list of some of the main nomadic and city-style Iranian carpets which may help travelers find what type of Persian carpet they love most.

Persian city-style carpets:

1- Isfahan Carpets

With its delicate and neat design based on Iranian geometry and aesthetics, Isfahan carpet (Isfahan rug) is a gem among the Persian carpets, which was flourished during the Safavid Dynasty, when fancy carpets were produced for the royal palaces in the carpet workshops in Isfahan. Isfahan carpet is usually known with its medallion design and its well-designed spirals of arabesque and floral motifs like the Gol-e Shah Abbasi (Shah Abbas flower) surrounding the medallion. Vase design and animal’s combat design are also the main designs of Isfahan carpet. Mr. Isa Bahadori, Sirfian family, and Haghighi family are some of the most well-known carpet designers of Isfahan. The best place for finding amazing Isfahan carpets is inside and around Naqsh-e Jahan Square, which is also one of the most amazing attractions of Isfahan.

2- Tabriz Carpets

As a result of vast pastures, mountainous climate, and thriving herding in Azerbaijan region of Iran, which is located in the northwest of the country and is home to the Turk people of Iran, carpet weaving has an excellent situation in the area, and Tabriz, which is the center of East Azerbaijan Province and is one of the most important economical centers of Iran since the kingdom of Mongol kings in Iran, has a very high rank among the carpet weaving cities and villages of the area. During the Safavid Dynasty, many carpet workshops were opened in Tabiz and thousands of astonishing carpets were produced. Tabriz carpets (Tabriz rugs) are woven with Turk style knots and follow classic Iran carpet designs, like Medallion, Paisley design, Garden design, and In an out fish design in happy colors like pink, beige, yellow, etc. The best place for finding an original Tabriz carpet is the Bazaar of Tabriz which is one of the largest bazaars of the world and is a UNESCO listed heritage.

3- Kerman Carpets

Kerman is one of the old cities of Iran with more than 400 years of background in weaving fine textiles and carpets. During the 20th century, Kerman carpets which is one the main city-style carpets in Iran got so popular among the carpet merchants of the world that it became home to carpet workshops and companies that produced carpet specifically for the United Kingdom, Italy, and the US. The fascinating Kerman carpets (Kerman rugs) are known for their exclusive designs like Sabzikar, Gol-e Sorkh (red rose), picture designs (picture of great men), and overall floral designs, and vase designs. The Shahrokhi family, Rashid Farrokhi brothers, and Vaziri family are among the most famous carpet designers of Kerman.

4- Kashan Carpets

Although Kashan is located in the north of Isfahan Province, this historic city has its architecture style, culture, and of course handwoven textile and carpet industry. The handmade textiles like Makhmal (velvet), Zari (textile with gold strings), and Tafteh are so enchanting that Mr. Jean Chardin the French traveler (16-17th century) said that delicate and fancy textiles of Kashan are not produced anywhere else in whole Iran. Kashan carpets are usually known for their medallion design with Shah Abbas flowers and eye-catching spirals on a red background. Best Kashan carpets are usually found in the historic Bazaar of Kashan which is one of the main attractions of the city.

Persian nomadic carpets:

1- Qashqai carpets

Qashqai Tribe is one of the most important ethnic groups in Iran. Qashqai people are originally Turk people living and migrating through the lands in the southwest of Iran especially in Fars Province. Besides their wonderful wedding ceremonies and folkloric music, Qashqai nomads are known for creating wool products like kilims, black tents, and Qashqai carpets which can be introduced as the most popular Persian nomad carpet. Qashqai carpets (rugs) are known for their sharp and eye-catching colors which are the result of the dying plants in their homeland. The motifs of Qashqai carpets are abstract motifs that originate from the objects, animals, flowers, and trees nomads see in their environment. Since Shiraz especially the Vakil Bazaar of Shiraz is the most important market for trading Qashqai tribal carpets, some people name this carpet Shiraz Carpet, but the truth is that all the carpets are woven by the nomads of Fars.

2- Turkmen carpets

Turkmens are originally Turk tribes living on the vast plains of northeastern Iran (in Gorgan Province), Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Although a part of the cultural legacies of Turkmen nomads has been destroyed as a result of their wars, carpet weaving is still one of the main characteristics of these nomads. The most important Turkmen tribes who are busy with carpet weaving are Tekke, Sarik, Chodor, and Yamout. Turkmen rugs are known for their small size, geometric motifs repeated all over the carpet, their low knot density, and their deep red background color.

3- Balouch carpets

With their rich culture and amazing traditions, Baluch nomads are a big part of Baluch people who live in the southeast and east of Iran in Sistan o Baluchistan Province and south of Khurasan Province, with a very hot climate and a little precipitation. Baluch nomads of Iran are known as very warmhearted, patient, and hospitable people. Since their environment doesn’t provide many herbal dyes, Baluch carpets (Baluch rugs) are usually woven with a few colors like black, brown, navy blue, and dark red. The limited numbers of color and their tiny geometric motifs have caused Baluch carpets to be a good choice for modern and simple decorations.