Persian Rugs Boutique

The art of Persian carpet-making flourished during the Safavid Dynasty - 1499 to 1722 CE.

Persian carpets come from Iran and are characterized by dense weaves, unique knots and opulent colours.

The oldest known carpet fragment, the 2,500-year-old Pazyryk rug, found frozen in an icy tomb in Siberia, still retains its deep red dye!

Weavers in modern Iran have re-embraced traditional dyes to create the colours and patinas of the finest antique rugs. Madder is back, as are many of the plant, insect and animal dyes that cheap convenient chemicals replaced.

The fortunate owner of a Persian rug holds history in their hands and puts art onto the floor.

Carpets from Shiraz are usually made of either cotton or wool; wool is sometimes used in the pile as well. Wool is likewise used in the weft and warp. In the weft and warp, goat hair yarn is sometimes utilized as well. Coming from a region with semi-extreme temperatures, it is of no surprise that carpets from Shiraz are made from materials to be adaptable in any environment. This makes them stand out in world markets as they can be purchased for their flexibility. Shiraz rugs are weaved using symmetrical knots, with an average knot count of around 120 knots per square inch, and knot density of 80 000 – 160 000 knots per square meter. The greater the knot density, the greater the quality of the rug. Shiraz rugs feature the characteristic design of a central medallion interspersed with geometric patterns and diamond-shaped lozenges. Across their borders is often smaller bands encompassing a larger band with palm and pine leaf designs. Others sometimes portray a white horse accompanied by nightingales in angular shapes. Shiraz rug's characteristic designs serve to give them an old-world appeal and promote their exclusivity.

Theses rugs are made in Esfahan. The rugs are knotted on either silk or cotton foundations, (with up to 1.000.000 Persian knots/sqm) using exceptionally good quality fine wool for the pile, which is normally clipped quite low. In the beginning of the renewal of Esfahan as the carpet center of high-quality rugs, most rugs used traditional motifs inspired by the architectural motifs and tiles that decorated the historical buildings of this great city. Designers were further inspired by the poets of Persia, nature, and religious spiritual intimations that are deeply ingrained in the culture. In contemporary items the palette has become more pastel, utilizing the technical perfection and artistic flair of this "City of Art". Both classical and contemporary Esfahan’s are extremely attractive, and the subduing of the palette, particularly the elimination of strong reds, makes them more compatible with Western decorative schemes. A range of traditional designs are still used including allover Shah Abbas, Vase, Tree of Life and Pictorial schemes but by far the most popular composition is based on a circular central medallion set against an elegantly sculpted field decorated with intricately purling vine palmette and flor motifs.

These rugs are made in Tabriz, the second oldest city of Iran and one of the oldest rug weaving centres. Tabriz rugs can be found in limitless designs, most have a powerful red or blue with contrasting ivory background. Softer greens, blues and browns can be found in newer rugs to meet modern tastes and interiors. Tabriz is the host to some of the most beautiful rugs in the world and can have the price tag to match. In general, the knots are fairly dense but can range anywhere between 120-850 knots per square inch. The foundation is normally cotton with a fine wool pile in most cases. The popularity of Tabriz rugs dictates that all ranges of sizes, shapes, qualities and materials will be used.

These rugs are made in Naein. These rugs are one of the finest rugs produced in Iran, woven in master workshops. Naein has been producing fine rugs since the beginning of the 1930’s. These rugs utilize excellent quality wool either from Iran or imported from New Zealand. Their traditional colors are blue, beige, white, and shades of brown however some pieces are produced in red or green. They also use silk to accentuate the floral motifs which are executed with time-honored experience and skillful hands. The price varies with the quality. The rarest specimens being the 4-la and 6-la rugs which are masterpieces of design and beauty woven with 4-ply or 6-ply cotton. This technique designating the quality of the rug and the closeness of the weave is exclusively utilized by Naein workshops. As can be expected the prices of Naeins vary according to the quality, design and workshop. Naein rugs are woven in all sizes and today the rug workshops in Naein are still prolific in their creativity.

These rugs are made in Najaf Aabaad, located west of Esfahan. These rugs are built on mainly cotton foundations, using tightly knotted wool for the pile. The design has similarities to Esfahan and Kashan rugs, using curvilinear and floral patterns. The colours are used to brighten up a room are mainly red, green or powerful blues. The knot count ranges in line with quality, good rugs start at about 120 knots per square inch and can go up as far as 475 knots per square inch in cases of excellence. Najafaabaad rugs have the benefit of being both beautiful and hard wearing and are an excellent choice for any home.

Tudeshk, represent one of the best “modern” periods of carpet weaving in Iran comparable to the sixteenth and seventeenth century Safavid court carpets in opulence and purity both in color combination and design excellence. The Nain Tudeshk rugs were produced with exceptional quality and attention to detail but in limited numbers during the beginning of carpet production in Nain from 1917-1928. Most of these exceptional pieces were not produced for export but rather for the new rich during Reza Pahlavi’s reign. The knot count on these rugs varied from 500.000 knots/m2-1.200.000 knots/m2. Tudeshk rugs are rare and few in number, therefore highly sought after.

These rugs are made in Yalameh. Yalameh is the name given to the colourful southern Iranian carpets woven primarily in and around the village of Aliaabaad in the southern Iranian province of Fars. Pieces from this origin were formerly called Shekarlu, but they were very rare. The town of Yalameh lies slightly north of the city of Esfahan in central Iran. Yalameh is well known for its top-quality tribal rugs with diamond geometric designs. In comparison with other tribal rugs, Yalameh is up there with the best. The pile used in Yalameh rugs is very fine, particularly in comparison to other tribal designs, using soft wool based on a cotton foundation. The pattern is distinctive with large repeated diamonds in a straight line down the carpet, often with geometrical animal or human prints scattered across the field. Dark red or light brown on a blue or orange background is most common for Yalameh, similar to Shiraz rugs, the rugs compliment modern or minimalist furniture beautifully, giving the living space an aura of luxurious style and warmth.

These rugs are made in Chaahaar Mahaal va Bakhtiyar. In the Zagros mountains, west of the city of Esfahan around the city Shahr-e-Kurd. Bakhtiari rugs are considered to be among the most durable of Persian rugs. These rugs are based on a cotton foundation (warp) with a wool weft. The wool can range from dull to extreme glossy and the resultant pile is clipped medium to high. Prices range considerably with the highest knot density rugs generally being the most expensive, but price is also affected by criteria such as the pattern and the dyes used. Patterns are usually floral or garden inspired. The Kheshti, an established garden motif is perhaps the most well-known design, which is individual squares with animals and plants acting as symbols. Another influential design features a decorated field with lattice designs and floral ornaments. The use of colors varies depending on styles of certain tribes, generally they include shades of white, reds, browns, greens, and yellows. Natural dyes produce variations in color, which are particularly obvious on older pieces which often coveted by collectors and can be extremely costly.

These rugs are made in Kashan. The origin of Kashan rugs, dates back to the 17th century though some experts believe that some of the designs draw back to the 16th century. Sales of Kashan rugs across domestic and international markets began around the 19th century. Kashan rugs’ warp and weft are usually cotton, though their older pieces are made from pure silk. The body frame is crafted with wool that sometimes has silk mixed within. The finished texture of Kashan rugs is normally tight, yet soft to the touch. They are woven to have 120 knots per square inch to a maximum of around 840 knots per square inch. The weaving technique is traditional Persian asymmetrical knots—the more knots, the higher the quality. The common design of Kashan centres around a medallion—curve linear motifs like palmettos, leaves and arabesques designs encompass it throughout its surface area. Kashan rugs are given pastel tones to evoke neutral and subtle effect. The patterns are fleshed out with predominant shades of red, blue, indigo and ivory. Some of the rugs also use the effect of colour shading in its weaving technique to add another level of depth.

These rugs are made in the Qom Province of Iran, around 100 km south of Tehran. Although rug weaving in Qom was not a major industry until the past 100 years, the luxurious silk and wool rugs of Qom are known for their high quality and are regarded among the most expensive in the world. The knots per square inch (KPSI) on a Qom rug ranges between 200-500. The higher the number, the higher quality of the rug. The Qom’s fine weaving technique cause the designs to look intricate and thoroughly detailed. The majority of Qom rugs are small to medium in size and many are woven with luxurious silk, others use very fine wool which is densely knotted making extremely decorative rugs that are often hung on proud owners' walls. The designs are typically curvilinear and floral in their pattern but many are woven to a more pictorial scene, often a tree of life design. Whether it’s for your house or private collection, the Qom rugs are one of the best Persian rugs for sale on the market.