The Bakhtyari nomads live in the south west of Iran between Isfahan and Malyar. The three main carpet-weaving areas being Chahar Kurd, Chahar Shutur and Shalem Zar. Many have now abandoned their nomadic life, which explains why some Bakhtyari carpets can be quite large. The wool is thick on sturdy warp of cotton. This makes the carpets heavy but very hardwearing. Many Bakhtyaris, particularly those from Shalem Zar, have the “garden motif” with a pattern is squares with animals, trees, and flowers.
Bijar is a town in North-West Iran approximately 45 km from Senneh (Sanandaj). Bijar (or Bidjar) Kurdish rugs are often called the Iron Rugs of Iran. The Bijar was a heavy durable rug that has been very popular in the United States. Now the Bijar rug rends to be a finer thinner more Sarouk like rug. Most Bijar Kurdish carpets are woven by Gerrus Kurds in the Bijar area while a finer copy of Bijar carpets are woven by Afshar weavers who live in the Tekab and Tekkenteppe Area in Gerus.
As in most other parts of Iran, carpet weaving is one of the most significant handicrafts of the region, especially in. Sanandaj. Shaw, kilim and jajim weaving. Wood work and jewelry and ornaments are among other main handicrafts of this province. The unique art of crafting backgammon boards utilizing genuine wood from walnut trees up to 1000 years old, mostly grown wild inside small valleys high up in the Zagros Mountains must be noted. These magnificent trees were sadly over harvested during the past 50 years, exported to Europe.
the province of Hamedan is located in the west of Iran, and the city of Hamedan, the capital of this province, in one of the most ancient and historical cities of Iran. This province is one of the most important regions in Iran that produces large quantities of carpets. in this province the carpets are woven in floral and stylized patterns. Many years ago the colors used for weaving them was natural beige or camel wool which had a great success amidst the Europeans, as they found them very suitable to spread in the dark and narrow corridors and halls of their buildings. Nowadays they still use these natural colors.
These carpets come from the old Persian capital Isfahan and were probably the first to be recognized in the west. During the reign of Shah Abbas, many carpets were sent as gifts to the rulers of western countries. The Isfahan carpets - as well as those from Nain (Naein) - have patterns of flowers and intertwined branches, often with a medallion, but one can also find hunting scenes and the tree of life. In Najafabad, close to Isfahan, they produce similar carpets, but then the warp is of cotton.
Shiraz carpet is a type of Persian rug made in the villages around the city of Shiraz. The designs tend to come from settled tribal weavers so they mimic Qashqai, Khamseh, Afshar, Abadeh and Luri designs. Since the weavers are using fixed looms the rugs tend to be larger and often coarser then their tribal counterparts. Shiraz rugs are not often very finely knotted, with both Qashqai and Abadeh both have a finer knot. Shiraz utilise the Persian (asymmetrical) knot.
Ardebil : During the Second World War, when carpet weaving in Shirvan and other parts of Caucasian came to a standstill, the Ardebil weavers take advantage of the situation. They decided to change and modify their designs to increase their sales. The runners and the carpets woven in Ardebil are definitely under the influence of Caucasian and Tabriz designs. Recently, the prevalent colours of the Ardebil rugs are turquoise blue, off-white, blue, beige and sometimes green.
