Miri design Bijar woven in Kurdistan, Persia ( Iran )
Size: 170×120 cm

The Bijar or Bidjar rug is made in the Kurdish area of North-west Iran, and are known for their style and also for their weight, which makes them almost unique among the rugs traditionally known as Persian carpets. Bijar rugs have been woven by the Kurdish tribe’s people for many hundreds of years, although the Afshar tribes in Southern Iran have recently begun to make a much finer and more stylised version of this rug. Many Western collectors are familiar with this style of rug, both in the traditional forms and the more modern styles which have been developed in the last century or two.

The Location of the Bijar Rug

The rugs are made in the Bijar area of Northwest Iran, around the town of Bijar and its outlying villages. The town is in Kurdistan region in Iran, and while there are many Kurds outside of this area, the Bijar rug is mainly associated with the weavers of this particular district. The city of Bijar is at the heart of the former Persian Empire, and lies close to the historical rug-making centre, Tabriz. The city is still at the centre of traditional Kurdish influence, and over time has seen many different people settle in the area, from Turks and Azerbaijanis to Kurds migrated from Iraq and from other parts of Iran. This has all gone to create a unique area which has a very diverse culture, all of which is represented in the unique styles of the rugs.

The Colours of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar Persian rug can feature a variety of different colours, but the traditional weavers tend to have a very limited palette with colours such as blues, browns, reds, whites and yellows being the main colours, both in traditional rugs and in the modern form. The older styles of Bijar would concentrate upon patterns in red, yellow, white and blue, which are considered to be attractive to men, and the Bijar rug has gained a reputation as a ‘man’s rug’. The newer styles have tended to focus upon more feminine colours, with such things as pink roses being seen.

The Design of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug is known for its geometric and curved designs, with many curvilinear features being common. The traditional Kurdish designs feature many different styles of patters, including floral and animal features, as well as geometric designs. The rugs are particularly noted for their Persian curvilinear designs, although they can also feature medallion-styled motifs which resemble the Afshar rugs. You can also find a particular feature of the Bijar rug, which is a six-sided lozenge which is repeated inside itself three or four times, each one in a different colour. The traditional antique rugs have tended to feature lions as a particular motif, with some floral patterns, although both of these were highly stylised and did not affect the overall geometric feel of the rug.

The History of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug has long been a popular purchase by Western collectors, because the best quality Persian carpets are considered to originate from Kurdish weavers. Although they have been partially isolated by their nomadic lifestyle, it has also allowed them to experience a range of different cultures, which can easily be seen when looking at antique rugs. There are a wide range of designs which demonstrate how the weavers of Bijar have come to learn from their neighbours, but this can sometimes make them difficult to distinguish from close-by carpet weavers, purely on style alone. The designs of the rug make it clear that the Kurdish people have been making them for hundreds of years, with European heraldic images, Persian abstracts and bare backgrounds reminiscent of Middle-Eastern carpet designs. The historical features of the Bijar rug include the fact that they tended to be small, rather than large, and they were often made using goat hair and Persian knot styles, which added to the stiffness of the knots. This has meant that some of the oldest types of Bijar rugs are very coarse to the touch, and cannot be folded over as you might expect from a carpet or rug, while pieces produced in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and those made in nearby regions, tend to be lighter. Collectors particularly look for rugs which have the signature of Taghavi or Tajhavi, master weaver of the Bijar region, and which are particularly noted for their fine designs and details.

The Uniqueness of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug is famously known as the ‘iron rug’ of Iran, due to its toughness. The backing material against which the rug is woven tends to be very dense and hard-working. In addition, the knots made by the weavers are beaten or thrashed during the process in order to create a dense, heavy fabric where the wool fibres are puffed up due to the beating and weaving motions. Like many of the traditional tribe weavers of Iran, the rug makers of Bijar have no large-scale industrial weaving, and instead most of the rugs are home-produced. This means that each rug is completely unique, and that there will not be any copies of each rug. The particular weft of the Bijar rug is also unique, with the antique wool weft being made by wetting the material and then pulling out the different stands, so that parts of the single weft could be at 90 degree angles to each other. This gave the wool a unique twist which helped to coarsen the wool. Some people have argued that these older rugs have three wefts, but this is an optical illusion caused by the angling of the wool. The modern weft tends to concentrate upon holding the strands in place, which sometimes means that the rug is finer and less traditional. In addition, the newer rugs tend to be larger than the older pieces, which again changes the appearance of the Bijar rug.

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Persian Qum Vase design pure silk – Master weave

My grandfather was a Rang-raz (silk dyer) and he use take me to his workshop almost every morning. I remember seeing dry vegetable matter such as onion skin, walnut skin, pomegranate skin and dry root of madder, and indigo boiling in large terracotta pots. My grandfather would put raw and washed spun wool or silk in the pots and they would boil all day. The wool underwent multiple processes of washing and drying before being sold to weavers who would sometimes also rent a map to follow for their design. My duty at the family shop was to colour in the graphs which my uncle drew on the graphic paper. At the time I found it most boring and missed playing soccer with my friends, but now I wish I had learned more from my wise and experienced grandfather before he died in 1984.

Qum wool pile, Circa 1940
Size: 351×234 cm

One of reasons that some Persian rugs made today don’t look as beautiful as the old cottage weaves is because artisans like my grandfather left no written evidence of their art and knowledge. We are left only to regret and treasure the old pieces that they created.

The Location of the Bijar Rug

The rugs are made in the Bijar area of Northwest Iran, around the town of Bijar and its outlying villages. The town is in the parts of Kurdistan which lie within Iran, and while there are many Kurds outside of this area, the Bijar rug is mainly associated with the weavers of this particular district. The city of Bijar is at the heart of the former Persian empire, and lies close to the historical rug-making centre, Tabriz. The city is still at the centre of traditional Kurdish influence, and over time has seen many different people settle in the area, from Turks and Azerbaijanis to those from Iraq and from other parts of Iran. This has all gone to create a unique area which has a very diverse culture, all of which is represented in the unique styles of the rugs.

The Colours of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug can feature a variety of different colours, but the traditional weavers tend to have a very limited palette with colours such as blues, browns, reds, whites and yellows being the main colours, both in traditional rugs and in the modern form. The older styles of Bijar would concentrate upon patterns in red, yellow, white and blue, which are considered to be attractive to men, and the Bijar rug has gained a reputation as a ‘man’s rug’. The newer styles have tended to focus upon more feminine colours, with such things as pink roses being seen.

The Design of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug is known for its geometric and curved designs, with many curvilinear features being common. The traditional Kurdish designs feature many different styles of patters, including floral and animal features, as well as geometric designs. The rugs are particularly noted for their Persian curvilinear designs, although they can also feature very medallion-styled motifs which resemble the Afshar rugs also produced in Iran. You can also find a particular feature of the Bijar rug, which is a six-sided lozenge which is repeated inside itself three or four times, each one in a different colour. The traditional antique rugs have tended to feature lions as a particular motif, with some floral patterns, although both of these were highly stylised and did not affect the overall geometric feel of the rug.

The History of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug has long been a popular purchase by Western collectors, because the best quality Persian carpets are considered to originate from Kurdish weavers. Although they have been partially isolated by their nomadic lifestyle, it has also allowed them to experience a range of different cultures, which can easily be seen when looking at antique rugs. There are a wide range of designs which demonstrate how the weavers of Bijar have come to learn from their neighbours, but this can sometimes make them difficult to distinguish from close-by carpet weavers, purely on style alone. The designs of the rug make it clear that the Kurdish people have been making them for hundreds of years, with European heraldic images, Persian abstracts and bare backgrounds reminiscent of Middle-Eastern carpet designs. The historical features of the Bijar rug include the fact that they tended to be small, rather than large, and they were often made using goat hair and Persian knot styles, which added to the stiffness of the knots. This has meant that some of the oldest types of Bijar rugs are very coarse to the touch, and cannot be folded over as you might expect from a carpet or rug, while pieces produced in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and those made in nearby regions, tend to be lighter. Collectors particularly look for rugs which have the signature of Taghavi or Tajhavi, master weaver of the Bijar region, and which are particularly noted for their fine designs and details.

The Uniqueness of the Bijar Rug

The Bijar rug is famously known as the ‘iron rug’ of Iran, due to its toughness. The backing material against which the rug is woven tends to be very dense and hard-working. In addition, the knots made by the weavers are beaten or thrashed during the process in order to create a dense, heavy fabric where the wool fibres are puffed up due to the beating and weaving motions. Like many of the traditional tribe weavers of Iran, the rug makers of Bijar have no large-scale industrial weaving, and instead most of the rugs are home-produced. This means that each rug is completely unique, and that there will not be any copies of each rug. The particular weft of the Bijar rug is also unique, with the antique wool weft being made by wetting the material and then pulling out the different stands, so that parts of the single weft could be at 90 degree angles to each other. This gave the wool a unique twist which helped to coarsen the wool. Some people have argued that these older rugs have three wefts, but this is an optical illusion caused by the angling of the wool. The modern weft tends to concentrate upon holding the strands in place, which sometimes means that the rug is finer and less traditional. In addition, the newer rugs tend to be larger than the older pieces, which again changes the appearance of the Bijar rug.

Throughout history, Kashan has played an important role in Persia. Political events aside, it has been known for its art. It takes pride in a rich tradition of hand-woven rugs, silk, textiles, and ceramic tiles.

Meet the Kashan rug

One of Kashan’s greatest achievements is the production of Kashan rugs. These rugs were made with a foundation of cotton, highlighted by silk. Although some of the best Kashan rugs were made of pure silk.

Designs usually featured an elongated medallion at the centre of the rug, with a floral-like pattern extending towards its borders. The borders continued with the motif of flowers such as tulips, vines, and leaves, and then highlighted by two smaller contrasting bands. And when it comes to hues, the more popular choices were bright shades of green, red, blue, and ivory.

Knots per square inch or KPSI is the measure of how finely woven a rug is. One simply has to turn the rug over to see its knots. The higher the number of knots per square inch, the more intricate the design is made. Kashan rugs range from 100 KPSI to 800 KPSI, making them coveted not just for their aesthetics, but for the quality as well.

Kashan Persian rugs today are still made with a foundation of cotton and a wool pile cut short to allow the design to be visible. They can come in varied sizes—ranging from three by five inches, to as much as two by twelve inches. They are used as home accents, runners, and even as prayer mats.

A little bit of history

Kashan has been producing rugs since the Sassanian Empire, dating back from 224 to 642 CE (or Christian era). They were produced for the purpose of trade and export, as well as for the use of Persia’s rich.

History dictates that there were two zeniths in Kashan rug production. First was during the Safavid period during the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries, and again during the nineteenth to twentieth centuries under the Qajar dynasty.

Safavid period

The Safavid period is what the Renaissance was to the world. It was a time of creative explosion for Kashan as its people explored art, writing, and architecture. These are represented in the picturesque details on domes, mosques, homes, and buildings. And because Kashan is surrounded by the elements, the interiors of their architecture were magical worlds of gardens, lights, and fountains.

Kashan rugs during the Safavid period reflected the beauty of their surroundings. Gardens and animal scenes were commonly depicted in the rugs’ designs, highlighted by woven threads of gold and silver.

The nineteenth to the twentieth centuries

It was during the 1800’s and the 1900’s that high-quality rugs called Mohtashem were made in Kashan. These were finely woven, boasting of an intricate two hundred to four hundred KPSI. Mohtashem carpets showed a sarouk pattern with tulips and blossoms on its borders.

Mohtashem rugs were believed to have originated from the workshop of Haj Mullah Hassan Mohtashem. History recounts him as wool merchant married to a woman from the province of Arak. When the market collapsed, his wife innovated by using fine, imported Manchester wool to make carpets. She incorporated the Sarouk style in the design. The rugs were an instant hit, and he and his wife resuscitated the trade of weaving. The art of carpet-weaving in Kashan found new life and was revived in the late 1800’s.

While this story cannot be fully verified, it is interesting to know that some carpets are still signed “Mohtashem” giving proof to the story of Haj Mullah Hassan Mohtashem and his wife.

Buying a Kashan rug

For those who have decided to add a beautiful accent to their home, a Kashan rug is an excellent choice. Having a Kashan rug is like taking ownership of a piece of art.

Here are a few things to consider before you purchase your own Kashan rug:

• Determine your budget. Kashan rugs can easily cost thousands of dollars. Make a decision of how much you are willing to spend and take time to do your research on which kind of design and size will suit you best.
• Acknowledge the machines. Thanks to technology, not all Kashan rugs are hand-knotted. Handmade carpets will generally cost more than machine produced versions.
• Understand the material. Most Kashan rugs are made of a cotton base and a wool pile. This will go well with apartments as wool will help keep floors warm and will aid in insulating sound. If one is furnishing a more elegant space, they can opt for Kashan rugs with silk threads.
• Decide on color and patterns. Not all Kashan rugs will carry the traditional designs of the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Not all of them will be in the traditional hues of green, red, blue, and ivory. The buyer can opt for something more modern.

Kashan care

Kashan rugs should be given proper care. They should not be placed in areas with direct sunlight because it fades a rug’s colors. But if that cannot be avoided, rotate the rug at least once a week to spread out the exposure. And gently vacuum the Kashan rug once a week to keep it clean.

If furniture will be placed on the rug, move the furniture every so often. This will prevent dents from forming in the carpet. But it is much better not to place anything on the rug. It is a work of art, after all.

Kashan rugs are made with excellent quality and craftsmanship. The Kashan rug is there to be enjoyed. It is welcomed into the home as a reminder of the prized traditions of a world that has past.

Shiraz carpet is made in the Fars region of Iran by nomadic tribes living in the area, including the Qashqai. These rugs are generally well-known for their distinctive red wool, and for being hand-made amongst the tribes people of the region. These Persian rugs often feature a range of carpet designs which are found elsewhere in the region of the city, and they may also feature naturalistic representations of animals, plain stripes or geometric designs which give them their basic Persian carpet look. These carpets are available in a range of sizes, and can also be found with pile on both sides of the rug, with these originally being used as blankets. If you are looking for a unique collector’s item, then a Shiraz rug might give you what you need.

The Location for the Shiraz Rug

Shiraz Rugs are made in the Fars region of Iran, around the city of Shiraz, close to where the ancient Persian city of Persepolis was once located. This connects the rug-making modern city back to ancient and even Neolithic periods, but also means that Shiraz is an important trading site, with links to major cities in Iran and throughout the Middle East. A major weaving area of Shiraz is the Bolvardi, once a nearby town which has now been swallowed up by the sprawling city. The major makers of the rugs are the Qashqai tribes people, known for their unique take on the Shiraz Persian carpet.

The Colours of a Shiraz Rug

The two main colours of the Shiraz rug are blue and red. Red tends to be the background colour, against which the other parts of the palette are worked, while blue is often used to fill in the diamond shapes which often feature in the carpets. While the red colour may be used to the edge of the carpet, there tends to be at least one, and usually two or more bands of light colour, either white or cream, against which designs are picked out in greens, reds, yellows and browns. Although red is the predominant colour, it is possible to find carpets made from a combination of yellows and browns, as well as some which contain black wool. Although red it the traditional colour, it is also possible to find rugs woven solely in blue, in yellow, or in white, with small motifs sewn on by hand after the rug has been woven. All of these features mean that selecting a Shiraz rug to suit your needs has never been easier, and you can find one to suit your room’s palette easily.

The Design of a Shiraz Rug

There are two main designs for the Shiraz rug, both reflecting the history and culture of the city. Roses and floral designs feature heavily in the rug, not least because Shiraz is often called the City of Roses. In addition, the other design is that of the diamond. This may be a single central motif, or one which is repeated along the length of a larger carpet. The diamond will sometimes feature an internal motif which can be that of a tree, or another geometric pattern. The two borders will usually be square or rectangular, and will feature a range of different designs, including pine trees, palm leaves and flowers. There may also be more abstract designs, too, such as circles and round objects. Perhaps the most well-known design is that attributed to the rug makers of Ghashghai, which features a cypress and lily-of-the-valley combination. It is widely recognised as one of the traditional Persian carpets which area a feature of many western homes, but is only one of the many designs made by the weavers of Shiraz. Sometimes the weavers will also create rugs with a repeating pattern of blocks of red, white and orange, which are much less complex than the traditional style of a Persian carpet, or simply as a single block of colour without any design at all.

The History of the Shiraz Rug

There is a long history of carpet and rug making in the Shiraz region, with some carpets dating back 5 or 6 hundred years. It was during the reign of the Safavid family in the 16th and 17th centuries that rug making in the area became popular, and during the 18th century the practice took off as a way of making money from European tourists. At this time period, the rugs were complex and more stylish, featuring geometric designs and the large borders which are a feature of the Shiraz rug. Although some have argued that Shiraz rugs are not top-drawer, unlike some from nearby regions, the carpets themselves are very soft and skilfully woven, which makes the rugs more suitable for display purposes, rather than for use on the floor. A number of designs have been created in this area, demonstrating the durability of rug making in the area.

The Uniqueness of the Shiraz Rug

There are a number of unique features which help the collector to pick out a Shiraz rug. Firstly, the colour scheme of red and blue will be noted on most genuine carpets. Secondly, you should be able to note a large border which will feature many motifs and symbolic designs. There will additionally be a number of medallions across the centre of the carpet, often coloured in blue or white, and frequently with a yellow or cream border. However, just because this is the typical design does not mean that you must see those features in order for it to be a genuine carpet. More often than not, you will find that these unique rugs are slightly out of true, with one edge being slightly higher than the other. This is a sign of it being hand-woven. Shiraz carpets may also be small, woven in stripes, but will usually be red and made to a very fine and delicate texture, often without a fringe which is another unique feature to note when you are looking for a Shiraz rug.

Like many Iranian provinces, it has its share of rich history and culture. Isfahan’s glory days peaked during the Safavid Empire, from 1501 to 1722, when Iran flourished as a hub for architecture, philosophy, poetry, and art. In fact, it was during this period that Isfahan was pronounced Iran’s capital for a few years.

Let us take a look back at Isfahan during its zenith. Beautiful architectural mosques, homes, and buildings were sprouting up. Interiors were garnished with engraving and accented by art. We can easily see how weavers took much inspiration from the world around them. And so it was during this time that weaving peaked.

However, when the Afghans invaded Iran and ended the Safavid era, the art of weaving stopped. Well obviously not for good. It was revived in the 1900’s, during the World Wars. And since then, Isfahan has since built up the name of its rugs to the prized commodity it is today.

The rebirth of Isfahan weaving

During World War I, Isfahan was known for its weaving techniques. But instead of rugs, its primary product at that time was garments. During this time, the stage of fashion began to evolve. And as the requirements of modern fashion changed, Isfahan’s reign as a garment center also fell.

And so the people of Isfahan went back to weaving. Taking inspiration from designs from the Safavid dynasty, they used soft and fine Merino wool that was usually used for cloth. The results were beautiful Isfahan rugs that the world market immediately loved.

By the time the 1920’s arrived, weaving was again serious business in Isfahan. But during the Great Depression, money became scarce and Isfahans had to think of a way to lower the cost of the rug. The solution was to use native Persian wool rather than the imported Merino wool. That gave the Isfahan rug a harder feel, but it was still uncompromising on quality. During these years they again became one of the world’s hubs for rug production, and one of the cornerstones of the present-day Iranian weaving industry.

Today Isfahan rugs are of high demand in global markets. Their beautiful pieces have crossed the borders of Persia and can be found all over the world.

A look at Isfahan rugs

Knots per square inch or KPSI is the usual measurement for how finely woven a rug is. The more knots per square inch, the more intricate the design. Isfahan rugs are known for finely woven carpets ranging from four hundred to even eight hundred knots per square inch. The end-product is amazing in detail with beautifully-made rugs that are technically perfect.

Isfehan rugs are hand woven. The weavers use asymmetric knots with double wefts. Wefts are the horizontal threads interlaced to form layers dividing the rows of knots. That is why Isfahan rugs are known for their finely woven carpets.

When it comes to materials, Isfahan rugs are usually hand-knotted on foundations of silk or cotton. The wool pile used for weaving is also of high quality and cut short to let the design shine through.

Art by design

Isfahan weavers take inspiration from the Safavid empire, a time of artistic explosion in Iranian history. Designs are usually inspired by images of historical buildings like their Chehel-Sotun Palace and the Mosque of Sheikh Loffollah. Other common elements of Isfahan rugs are the incorporation of other concepts such as scenery, portraits, and animals. And like other Persian rugs, medallions and floral patterns adorn the rug as well.

Popular Isfahan rug designs include that of the arabesque medallion, vase and medallion, vases, flowers and birds, tree of life, and scenery rugs.

An Isfahan rug is indeed beautiful. Anyone who spends time appreciating the intricateness of the design will see how each knot is literally a labor of love. But are not all Persian rugs the same? What gives the Isfahan rug so much appeal to the western world?

Experts attribute this to colour. One Isfahan rug can carry as much as fourteen colours at a time. There will be beige, cream, blue, dark blue, and red. But one will notice that its palette is more subdued than other Persian rugs. Removing the strong reds allowed the color scheme to match western design preferences.

The Seirafian rugs of Isfahan

The technical quality of Isfahan rugs was not created by chance. Weaving techniques were not passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions. Rather, one of Isfahan’s prides is in its weaving workshops. It was in these workshops that master weavers, also known as Ustad, supervised people and guaranteed the Isfahan stamp of superior quality.

One of the best known workshops is the Seirafian. This was founded by a man named Haj Agha reza Seirafian, attributed for creating the design that would give the Isfahan rug its distinction this twentieth century. Haj Agha Reza was only a dealer of Isfahan rugs at first, but got into the business of producing when he had to complete two rugs that one of his suppliers couldn’t finish.

Seirafian rugs are known for their technical quality and intricate designs. And rightly so. Haj Agha reza Seirafian was a perfectionist. At first he used the traditional techniques of Isfahan rugs, but then began to innovate to produce the best quality carpets of his time. Seirafian rugs start at 700 knots per square inch or KPSI, going up to 1,500 KPSI, which is an urban legend in itself.

From then on, until his death, he has been producing quality Isfahan rugs. Now, his seven sons and their descendants take on the task of creating beautiful works of arts.

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The colours used in Yalameh Persian carpets are very limited and don’t exceed more than 10 shades. Deep and light reds, cedilla blues, yellow and gold, are the colours found in most Yalameh carpets.
Wool is used in the warp and weft of these rugs as well as the pile.
Until recent days most Yalameh rugs were woven on horizontal looms, but these days you see many upright looms in Yalameh homes as these take up less space in the room.

Knot count in Yalameh rugs is between 25-35 Raj (Raj: knot counts in a row of 7.5 cm) and the finest pieces are woven in a village called Aliabad. The distinctive motifs and colours used in Yalameh carpets make them easy to distinguish.

These Persian rugs are sold at the most affordable prices possible and they can transform your room to a beautiful and warm living environment.

Check our website for more pictures and info.

Antique Yazd, 300x200cm, Circa 1900.

The city of Yazd has a long history of fine textile weaving, in particular hand-loom silk fabrics. Due to the arrival of machine-made fabrics, weavers in Yazd started to learn and practice carpet weaving instead.  The use of fine weave, soft wool and designs in Yazd’s Persian carpets is very similar to Kerman carpets. Kerman is the closest large city to Yazd and most famous for its fine Persian carpets. Similar to Kerman rugs, the warps and wefts are cotton in Yazd carpet productions.

In the early years of production (late 19th Century), designs were inspired by Kerman and Kashan carpets (another famous town in central Persia with long history of fine Persian carpet production). However, after the Second World War and the increased demand for Persian carpets in Europe and United States, Yazd weavers with the help of Kermani merchants developed new designs to build a new market for their own goods. Nevertheless even after this transition, Yazd Persian carpets were still inspired by Kerman motifs with better colours, finer weave and increased pile density. Persian rug designers and weavers in Kerman were enticed by higher wages by merchants in Yazd to move there to produce better quality rugs than their southern rival city of Kerman.

Yazd Persian carpets are mostly woven with wool imported from Kerman and occasionally seen with silk inter-touch. Carpets from Yazd are cottage industry weaves (use of home looms) and mostly in larger sizes