Jun

Persian Rug carpets

The Persian carpet is an essential part of Persian art and culture as Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished manifestations of Persian culture and art, and dates back to ancient Persia. There is an estimated population of 1.2 million weavers in Iran producing carpets for domestic markets and international export and in recent times Iranian carpets have come under fierce competition from other countries producing reproductions of the original Iranian designs as well as genuine cheaper substitutes. In 2008, Iran’s exports of hand-woven carpets was $420 million or 30% of the world's market.

Persian carpets can be divided into three groups; Farsh or Qālii which is sized greater than 6x4 feet, Qālicheh meaning rug, sized 6x4 feet and smaller, and nomadic carpets known as Gelim orKilim, including Zilu, meaning rough carpet.

Iranian carpets are the finest in the world and their designs are copied by weavers from other countries as well and it is also the world's largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets, producing three quarters of the world's total output. Iran is also the maker of the largest handmade carpet in history, measuring 60,546 square feet.
Persia is known as the first home of rug weaving on an enduring and commercial scale. At that time, the Crusaders were known to take home with them antique oriental carpets made in Persia.

Authentic Persian antique oriental carpets are well known for their profuse use of decorations such as flowers, vines, leaves, date palms, iris, hyacinth, the tree of life and a few birds and animals, all woven into the rugs in a freehand manner and the basic themes of Persian oriental rugs designs was from the old Eastern idea that 'Paradise is a Garden'.

The height of great Persian antique oriental carpet weaving occurred in the 16th century in Persia, during the reign of Shah Abass. During his reign, looms were set up in his palace where the most celebrated weavers of his time were employed.

Carpet dealers have developed a classification for Persian carpets based on design, type of fabric, and weaving technique and all the categories are named for cities and areas associated with each design, these can be located on a map to Persian rug weaving cities. The most popular Persian antique oriental carpets are: Bijar, Hamadan, Saraband, Sarook, Heart etc.