Rug Types

Abadeh

Abadeh rugs are woven using bright, bold colours with a dark border. They are made on a cotton warp and have a thin, tightly knotted pile and typically consisting of geometric flowers or animals.

 

Agra

Agra rugs are known for their subtle colour palette and delicate designs. They were developed for Mughal emperors in the Indian city of Agra. They boast spiraling vines, and decorative objects such as birds, flowers or animals. 

 

Ahvas

The Ahvaz rug is inspired by middle eastern patterns and are finished with a natural fringe. The city of Ahvas is in the southwest region of Iran and is the capital of the Khuzestan province.

 

Anatoly

Anatoly rugs can be identified by their use of intense colours and abstract designs, combined with traditional tribal patterns. They are most often made from naturally-dyed wool, but on occasion feature silk elements.

Ardekan

Ardakan rugs are woven between Yazd and Nain and share a likeness with the rugs woven in these areas. They often have a central medallion which are repeated in the corners. The remaining areas are decorated with flowers and vines.

Ardebill


Ardebill rugs originate from the province of Ardebill in Northwest Iran. Ardebill rugs feature motifs throughout, with objects woven into the borders.

Bakhtiyar

Bakhtiyar rugs are art forms of the Bakhtiari tribe. They have a cotton base and are knotted with wool. It is sectioned into decorative squares or circles, which showcase smaller motifs. Common motifs used are flowers, trees, and the tree of life design.

 

Balouch

The Balouch rug originates from three different regions. Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. This means the rugs incorporate multiple cultures into the designs. They can be used as tapestries and floor mats.

 

Bijar

Bijar rugs are woven in the town of Bijar, Iran. They are also made in neighboring villages of the province of Kurdistan. You can identify a Bijar rug by the weave, bright colours, and array of patterns. Rug weavers beat the strands with a hammer repeatedly until the weave is tight and compact. Therefore, creating a dense and durable rug. 

Bokhara

Bokhara rugs are made up of wool on a cotton base and are among the most popular handmade rugs in the world. They are defined by their symmetrical patterns with diamond or oval shaped motifs.

 

Ghochan

Ghochan rugs are made from wool and silk and feature tribal patterns. They are made in the small town of Ghochan in Northeast Iran.

 

Indian

Indian carpets began in the 16th century by the mogul Akbar who brought in Persian weavers to produce rugs for his palace. Indian carpets consists of a range of patterns, styles, and designs and are often rich in colour. They are made from fine sheeps wool and silk.

 

Indoanatoly

Indian carpets began in the 16th century by the mogul Akbar who brought in Persian weavers to produce rugs for his palace. Indian carpets consists of a range of patterns, styles, and designs and are often rich in colour. They are made from fine sheeps wool and silk.

 

Kerman

Kerman rugs feature traditional Persian reds and blues and floral designs. They typically begin with a cotton foundation and on occasion incorporate silk.

 

Malayear

Malayear rugs come from the weaving areas of Hamedan and Sarouk. The rugs are single wefted and are made up of very good wool and a thick construction.

 

Naein

The Naein carpet has a cotton foundation with a very soft wool pile. Silk is often used to highlight details of the design. 

 

Nahavand

Nahavand rugs are made from high quality wool and vegetable dyes. The designs consist of floral medallions and tribal designs. They come from the city of Nahavand, Persia.

 

Nepal

Nepal carpets are hand knotted rugs made with a modern designs in mind. They are made up of wool and silk.

 

Persian

Persian carpet, also knowns as Iranian carpet was produced in Iran with many intricate and symbolic patterns. They were made for locals for home use and also for export. They were woven by tribes in many villages throughout Iran and can be distinguished by the bright and bold patterns. Persian rugs are made from a variety of materials such as fine wool, cotton, and silk.

 

Tabriz

Tabriz rugs are made in the capital city of East Azarbaijan, Tabriz. They include one of the widest assortments of designs from medallions, florals, and figures. They are made of string materials, primarily cotton or silk. This results in a more fine, delicate rug. 

 

Tufted

Tufted rugs are made by punching strands of wool into a canvas that is attached on a frame by using a hand operated tufting gun. Once the rug is complete, it is removed from the frame and the carpet is secured by attaching a heavy duty liner.

 

Uzbek

Uzbek rugs are woven reflecting the traditional fine art of the people of Uzbekistan. They are woven in a short pile and used primarily for home use.

 

Vintage

The vintage line consists of woven machine made rugs catered to a more fashion forward client. They reflect current trends and have a more economical price point.

 

Viss

Viss rugs are made in the south regions of the Sarouk production area in Iran. Their designs consist of medallions and Herati design and are made from 100% wool.

 

Yazd

Yazd is a provincial capital in the center of Iran. Most Yazd rugs consist of medallions framed in a symettrical border with bright and bold colours. They are based on a cotton foundation with a thick wool pile.

Isfahan

Isfahan is the capital of Shah Abbas, Iran. Isfahan rugs are inspired by the architecture, tile, and surroundings of the beautiful city. These rugs are famous for decorative purposes, combining soft tones with elegant designs. Isfahan rugs are knotted on silk or cotton foundations. The pile is short, resulting in a tightly knotted and strong product that allows the pattern to shine.

 

Ghom

In Ghom, Carpets are known for their fine details within the pile in wool or silk. The technique is typically high knot density with varied patterns. Silk may be incorporated in details. On occasion, carpets will be made entirely of silk. 

 

Kashan

The common design of a Kashan centers around a medallion. They are often given pastel tones to create a soft and neutral effect. Sometimes shading is introduced to offer additional depth. The body is crafted with wool or cotton, and will sometimes incorporate silk. The texture is tight, but soft to the touch. 

 

Shiraz

Shiraz rugs are woven on a cotton or wool foundation with a woolen pile. The patterns are typically made up of small medallions or geometrics. Rich colours, such as reds and browns are most commonly used. 

 

Sarouk

Sarouk rugs begin their story in the Arak district of Iran. Arak is one of Iran’s main carpet production centers. When the Sarouk entered the market, they have been highly sought after then and today. The Sarouk is a striking piece that begins with a cotton foundation. 

 

Kerman

Kerman rugs feature traditional Persian reds and blues and floral designs. They typically begin with a cotton foundation and on occasion incorporate silk. 


Kilim

Kilim rugs are made by tightly interweaving the strands of the weave to produce a flat surface with no pile. Weavers pack the weft tightly to produce bold and sharp patterns.

 

Baluch

The Baluch rug originates from three different regions. Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.  This means the rugs incorporate multiple cultures into the designs. They can be used as tapestries and floor mats. 

 

Choobi

The Choobi rug was developed in the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan in response to the North American market. They diffused the bold pattern of the traditional rug, and incorporated softer colours and antique finishes to appeal to Western buyers. 

 

Gabbeh

The Gabbeh is a hand-woven rug that is coarse to the touch. It incorporates abstract designs and a wide range of colours. Gabbehs are made of natural wool with plant dye.

 

Goltogh

Goltogh rugs are hand-woven in the Kurdish district of Northeastern Iran. They are a tribal carpets made up of geometric shapes and bright colours. 

 

Hamedan

Hamedan rugs are made in Western Iran in the province of Hamadan. Hamedan rugs generally use floral designs with the occasional hexagon or diamond shape. The colours used are different hues of blue and red. 

 

Handtufted

Hand tufted rugs are made by punching strands of wool through a canvas mounted on a frame. This is typically done by using a tufting gun. Once the pile is completed, the rug is removed from the frame, and the canvas becomes the backing. 

 

Heriz

Heriz rugs are made in the area of Heris, in the Northwestern region of Iran. The designs are made up of large-scale motifs with a wide range or warm colours. The foundation is made up of cotton, with the pile made up of plant dyed wool. 



Joshagahan

The Joshagahan rug is made in the Northern region of Afghanistan. It is a tightly woven rug made up of wool and natural dyes. 

 

Kashmar

The Kashmar rug begins with a cotton foundation. The weft is either cotton or wool, resulting in a thin tight pile. Light colours are often used with ivory as a contrasting colour.

 

Kashmir Silk

The Kashmir rug is a hand-knotted rug known for its intricate floral designs with a range of colours. Made entirely of silk, this rug has a luxurious soft finish, with a sheen. 

 

Kazak

The Kazak rug is an Armenian hand woven rug, made in the areas of the Caucasus, between Tiflis and Erevan. The rugs were known for the regions they came from. In the south of Tiflis the Kazak rug was known to be coarse with simple designs. The Kazak rugs made in the south of Bordjalou and north of Erevan are known more for their formal designs and and shorter pile. 

 

Khal Mohamadi

Khal Mohamadi rugs, are not named after a city, but named after the man who created them. Khal incorporated small elephant designs, as well as adapting the traditional red hues. He also introduced more black into his rugs.

 

Koliai

The Koliai carpets begin with a foundation of either cotton or wool. Their patterns are typically large and of geometrics, with the use of more dull colours. The finished rug consists of a tightly woven, high pile. 

 

Machine Made

Machine made rugs are produced by large machines also known as power looms. A power loom is programmed to quickly manufacturer many designs with materials such as wool, nylon, and silk to name a few. Fringe is typically sewn on once the rug has been completed. Machine Made rugs offer a more economical price point as opposed to hand knotted rugs. On the flip side, they are not worth much to a collector. 

 

Mahi

This handmade Persian rug is made up of fine quality wool and silk, with a cotton foundation. It features the design of a Fish (Mahi).

 

Mashad

Created in the carpet weaving center of Mashad, these rugs are known to be made of gentle wool and use a wide range of colors. 

 

Meymeh

Meymeh rugs are made up of a cotton foundation, with a thin, tight wool pile. The main colours used are bold reds and blues with contrasting ivory. 

 

Moud

Moud is a village in the southeast of Iran. The rug consists of a cotton foundation and a soft woolen pile. The designs usually begin with a centre medallion and are surrounded with floral patterns. Colours range from bold blues, reds, and rich browns. Ivory is incorporated to create a contrast. 



Naein

The Naein carpet has a cotton foundation with a very soft wool pile. Silk is often used to highlight details of the design.

 

Najafabad

Najafabad rugs are are similar in design to Isfahan and Kashan rugs, with their uses of curvilinear and floral patterns. The colours used are bright and bold. Made on a cotton foundation, using tightly knotted wool for the pile. 

 

Nepal

Nepal rugs are hand knotted rugs made with a modern design in mind. They are made up of wool and silk. 

 

Rudbar

Rudbar or Roodbar is a small village in the Gilan province of Iran. They produce tribal rugs of high quality, made up of geometric or floral designs. A mixture of cream hues, as well as the traditional blues and reds make up the colours of the carpet.

 

Sanandaj

The design of the Sanandaj rug involves many fine details in border, as well as diamond and floral shapes. They are a delicate rug made up of a cotton foundation and a fine wool pile. 

 

Sirjan

Sirjan rugs include both bold patterns of geometrics and flower motifs. The colours used are typically bright and bold with a mixture of black and ivory to create definition. They have a cotton base and wool pile. They use a looser knot, so they are not recommended for high traffic areas. 

 

Shahsavan

Shahsavan rugs are unique in the colours used, not typical to other persian styles. They can be recognized by shades of lavender, blues  or variations of pink and salmon tones. 

 

Tafresh

Tafresh is a small community located in the south west region of Tehran, Iran. The rugs created here are typically on the smaller size. The patterns used are usually floral, with the occasional use of geometrics or animals. They are made up of a cotton foundation and wool pile. 

 

Turkman

The Turkman rug is made up of wool pile with dark red, brown and blue hues. Geometrics are the main design used in this type of carpet. 

 

Yalameh

Yalameh rugs are made with a cotton foundation and a soft, thin wool pile. The tribal patterns are made up of light blues and creams, with the occasional green, red, and brown. Ivory is incorporated as a contrasting colour. 

 

Zanjan

The city of Zanjan is in the north-western region of Iran. The foundation is made up of cotton or a cotton/wool mix. Colours are typically on the darker side. The design and colours make this rug very similar to Bijar rugs. However, Zanjan rug patterns are typically on a larger scale

 

 

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