Persian Rugs
Carpet is a major part of Persian culture. Persian carpets can be divided into three types the Qāli, which are larger than 24 square feet, Qālicheh which are smaller than 24 square feet, and Gelim which means "rough carpet".
Wool is the most common material used. Specifically Kork wool and Manchester wool. The use of silk is less common because it is expensive and not as durable. Silk carpet is usually hung on the wall because of how fragile it is.
One design may serve the whole piece. The patterns are drawn to scale on paper first. Each square becomes a knot. Rugs are typically designed using one of four patterns: all-over, central medallion, compartment and one-sided.
The design and quality of Persian rugs became widely noticed during the Safavid Dynasty. The Safavid Dynasty carpet making ended with the Afghan invasion in 1722. Although they only became widely noticed during the Safavid era, Persian carpets have been around for a long time, prior to Islam, during the Cyrus the Great's reign.
A traditional design is shown below. All rugs have unique characteristics, such as borders and colors. One unique aspect of the Persian rugs is their curved designs.
Post Islamic Persian rugs (approx. 7th century C.E.) avoid depicting human and animal motifs, as it is forbidden by Islam; however, early some rugs weaved by nomadic tribes in the near east prior to Islam did, in fact, display human and animal designs. Rugs depicting these figures were typically found in the regions of Kerman, Kashan, and Tabriz. These rugs were known as hunting rugs, for they typically displayed scenes of a figures engaged in a hunt.
Wool is the most common material used. Specifically Kork wool and Manchester wool. The use of silk is less common because it is expensive and not as durable. Silk carpet is usually hung on the wall because of how fragile it is.
One design may serve the whole piece. The patterns are drawn to scale on paper first. Each square becomes a knot. Rugs are typically designed using one of four patterns: all-over, central medallion, compartment and one-sided.
The design and quality of Persian rugs became widely noticed during the Safavid Dynasty. The Safavid Dynasty carpet making ended with the Afghan invasion in 1722. Although they only became widely noticed during the Safavid era, Persian carpets have been around for a long time, prior to Islam, during the Cyrus the Great's reign.
A traditional design is shown below. All rugs have unique characteristics, such as borders and colors. One unique aspect of the Persian rugs is their curved designs.
Post Islamic Persian rugs (approx. 7th century C.E.) avoid depicting human and animal motifs, as it is forbidden by Islam; however, early some rugs weaved by nomadic tribes in the near east prior to Islam did, in fact, display human and animal designs. Rugs depicting these figures were typically found in the regions of Kerman, Kashan, and Tabriz. These rugs were known as hunting rugs, for they typically displayed scenes of a figures engaged in a hunt.