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Persian
carpets are held to be the carpet par
excellence. In reality, they share their
central role in the stylistic and
historical development of the
hand-knotted carpet with their Anatolian
rivals and counterparts. Persian Carpets
are known as the best for their
aesthetic and functional value, from
initial production till date. The origin
of carpets is known from early nomadic
era, where man invented a floor covering
to combat the chilling temperature.
Nomad, not only used this thick fabric
to cover the floor, they also used it as
wall hanging. Nevertheless, it is said
that the carpets were manufactured at
different regions on the same time.
The exact origin of Persian Carpets can
only be judged by the existence of its
evidence. Persian carpets are a part of
Iranian (Persian) culture and can be
dated back to the Bronze Age. A 2500
year old Pazyryk carpet was excavated in
1949, which dates back to 500 B.C. This
oldest known carpet was found in the
grave of a Scythian prince, which
showcases the advanced weaving technique
being used. Persian carpet weaving
transformed from a minor craft to a
statewide industry being waxed and waned
during the reigns of various dynasties
such as, Achaemenian, Sassanid, Seljuk
Turks, Mongol Domination and Safavid
Dynasty. Moreover, during the reign of
Shah Abbās, the carpet weaving turned
to be a major industry and penetrated
into European states. Afterwards, the
fame of Persian carpets ruled over the
world and allures till date.
Today also, the finest and antique
Persian carpets can be spectated at
various museums all round the world.
These are mostly from the royal courts.
The element that distinguishes Persian
carpets from the rest is that special
technique of knotting, complex and
calligraphic nature with main emphasis
on design. An asymmetrical, or Senneh
knot is made by wrapping the yarn once
around the warp and then is passed under
the neighboring warp strand. A fine
weave is created using the Persian knot
type. Since ages, the technique is being
followed by worldwide carpet
manufacturers, and is mainly observed in
carpets from Iran, Turkey, Egypt, India,
China, etc.
The most ancient known Persian carpets
can be segregated under three major
groups:
Farsh / 'Qālii'- a floor covering
sized greater than 6x4 feet.
Qālicheh- a rug sized equal or lesser
than 6x4 feet.
Kilim- rough carpet.
Persian carpets can further be
classified according to the designs,
motifs and patterns. A medallion carpet
has a central medallion, which is
surrounded with flowers and arabesques.
Medallions can be placed in different
shapes and sizes, and at times, more
than two medallions are accompanied with
an axis of symmetry. Various carpets
popular for their design element are:
animal and hunting carpets, introduced
by Safavid patrons, which incorporates
naturalistic elements, including plants,
bushes, wild animals sometimes their
fighting scenes, even domestic animals.
Other designs are garden carpets, which
bestow a look that is close to the
nature and were liked mostly during the
winters to create naturalistic ambiance.
In addition, antique carpets were based
on garden patterns were made using gold
to give the effect of sand, crystals to
bring water, colorful precious and
semi-precious stones to make flowers and
stones and used silk to imitate floral
and bush patterns. Floral carpets are
the best known and liked of Persian
carpets, depicting a chromatic contrast
of deep dark shades forming smaller and
bigger patterns of natural beauty. On
the other hand, most common nomad
carpets give that tribal effect to the
Persian carpets, strongly characterized
by abstract and stylized geometric
patterns. At times, Turkish knot is also
observed in nomadic carpets.
Furthermore, the types of fibers used in
Persian carpets are wool, silk and
cotton for foundation. Nowadays, a
plethora of carpet varieties is being
manufactured and the best technique to
identify a Persian carpet is to check
the foundation and identify the knot.
Also, Persian carpets interpret symbolic
motifs, inspirational naturalistic
motifs, animal and human figures.
Additionally, carpet manufacturers and
dealers have developed various
classifications of Persian carpets,
depending on design, type of fabric and
weaving technique:
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Abadeh
Afghan/Yomut (Turkmen)
Ahar
Afshar
Arak
Ardabil
Ardestan
Assadabad rug
Bakhtiari
Balouch
Bijar
Birjand
Brujerd
Chelaberd
Chodor
Dorokhsh
Farahan
Ferdos
Ghayen
Gonabad
Gonbad Ghaboos
Gorgan |
Herat
Heriz (Hariz)
Isfahan
Joshghan
Jozan
Kashan
Kashmar
Kerman
Lilian
Mahan
Mahalat
Maku
Mamasani
Marand
Mashhad
Mazlaghan
Meshkin Shahr
Moshk Abad
Mood
Nain
Nishaboor
Rafsanjan |
Ravar
Saraband
Sarab
Saraband
Sarukh
Semnan
Sha Savan
Shahre Kord
Shiraz
Shahr Reza
Qazvin
Qom
Tabriz
Tehran
Torghabeh
Varamin
Yalameh
Yazd
Zanjan
Zabol |
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