Kashan Rugs: A Tribute to the Safavid Dynasty of the Persian Empire
Kashan rugs are an export from one of Iran’s oldest cities, Kashan, dating back to the 17th century or late 16th century. Kashan was a hub of silk production beginning with the Safavid dynasty, a golden age of Persian weaving under the reign of Shah Abbas.
Contemporary Kashan rug sales began toward the end of the 19th century, when Kashan merchants hoped to replicate the success of weaving shops in Tabriz to the north. During this era, many antique Kashan rugs were commissioned for individual homes. The best Kashan carpets of the 19th-century and turn of the 20th century are formal, traditional and luxurious.
The warp and weft of Kashan rugs are usually made of cotton with the traditional asymmetrical Persian know. The thin double weft is often woven between 120 knots per square inch and 840 knots per square inch. The finished texture of Kashan rugs is soft to the touch. The best Kashan carpets use a superior quality of wool that sometimes has silk mixed in.
An antique Kashan rug was colored with vegetable dyes, which contribute to their unique texture, but
modern Kashan rugs (from the 1930s) use contemporary chrome dyes.
The highly sought after curvilinear designs of Kashan weaving was popularized by Kashan weavers in the early 1900s. The Kashan rug typically centers around a teardrop medallion, though intricately detailed motifs like palmettos, blossoms, leaves and arabesques are common, as well. The “Royal Garden” of Kashan is the source of a notable garden motif that is the archetype of Persian carpet designs. Another inspiration for many Kashan carpets is the “Garden of Paradise.”
Pakistani Kashan Rugs
When the Mogul empire spread through Iran to the Indian subcontinent, the work of Persian weavers was carried to modern day Pakistan. The city of Lahore today produces the vast majority of modern Pakistani Kashan rugs.
Like their Iranian forebears, Pakistani Kashans use a wool pile on a cotton base. Mogul Kashan rugs use the Senneh knot, an asymmetrical double knot that produces a dense, heavy weave, making them extremely durable. One of the main distinctions between Iranian and Pakistani Kashan rugs is the use of color. Pakistani Kashans feature predominantly pastel shades, whereas a traditional Persian Kashan carpet may include richer reds, greens and blues.
Motasham Kashan Carpets: Exceptional…and Exceptionally Rare
Motasham Kashan carpets are the rarest group of Kashan carpets. They feature non-traditional designs and color palettes and were woven with lamb’s wool renowned for its luminous, reflective sheen. True Motasham Kashan rugs are finely knotted and extremely difficult to find.
Dating from the middle of the 19th century, antique Motasham Kashan carpets are among the finest Persian carpets. Early Motasham Kashan rugs (pre-1850) use a technique known as abrash, marked by an emotive use of color shading and color shifts. They commonly feature an antique ivory or gold background and subtle pastel tones throughout the weave. Over time, the dyes in an antique Motasham rug will soften and acquire an earthy patina. The rich lanolin will rise to the surface of the wool fibers over time, given the rug an extraordinary luster.
Gabbeh Rugs are Part of a Rich Persian Tradition
The traditional Gabbeh Persian carpet – known as gava in Kurdish and Luri and called khersak in Bakhtiari – is a simple, hand-woven pile rug traditionally made by the nomadic Qashqai tribes who dwelled in the Zagros Mountains of southern Iran, near the city of Shiraz. Other tribes, such as the Lurs, the Kurds and the Bahktiari also weave these carpets.
In Persian, the word “Gabbeh” means “fringe” or “in the rough.” Gabbeh rugs are rough cut and long piled rugs of rich color and the best quality wool. Most Gabbeh carpets are medium size – up to 3’ x 5’ – and feature abstract designs where shapes and color dance playfully with one another.
Variations of the gabbeh rug – such as the “Loribaft”, “Amaleh”, “Kashkuli” – may reflect the heritage of the tribe by which they are woven or the name of the city in which they are most often traded, such as “a Shiraz Gabbeh.”
The 19th century gabbeh rugs were very coarsely knotted (40kpi or less), often with shaggy pile. The name of Gholam Reza Zollanvari is synonymous with modern Gabbeh rugs. Zollanvari learned the rug business from his grandfather, a merchant in the Shirazi rug bazaar. Zollanvari pioneered the construction of fine-weave gabbehs with knot counts of 200+ kpi. Today, Zollanvari rugs are among the most popular styles of Persian rugs.
The Making of a Gabbeh Rugs: A Craft Shared Across Generations
Most Gabbeh carpets are made by women, and many are one-of-a-kind works of art. Some patterns are passed down thru the generations as mothers and grandmothers teach their daughters the art of Persian rug making. Many patterns reflect the weaver’s observations of the environments through which the tribe has passed. Some rugs are even made by the hands of many weavers.
Traditional Gabbeh rugs were woven on makeshift ground looms. These looms are built with materials are carried long distances by the nomadic tribes, or materials found where the tribe settled. Since each loom is unique, each rug is unique; this is how Gabbeh rugs get their distinctive irregular in shape.
Woven with the Wool of Mountain Sheep
Gabbeh rugs are woven from high quality wool from the tribe’s own sheep. As the tribe herds its sheep over hundreds of miles, the nomads reach high altitudes. In the summers, they stay in the highland pastures north of Shiraz in the Zargos Mountains; by winter they sojourn to pasture lands near the Persian Gulf. Sheep grazed in high altitudes produce more lanolin, giving their wool a luxurious softness and resistance to stain.
Rich, Colorful Dyes Give Gabbeh Carpets a Remarkable Color
The Qashqai people find the dyes used in Gabbeh carpets or purchase them in towns where they trade their finished carpets. Often, they use all-natural vegetable dyes to give the wool vibrant color while retaining its lanolin.
Hand-Knotted Rugs with Turkish Symmetrical Knots and Persian Asymmetrical Knots
Most of the wool used in the construction of Gabbeh rugs is handspun using a drop spindle. After the wool has been dyed and handspun, the weaver uses the loom to hand-knot the rug using Turkish symmetrical knots or Persian asymmetrical knots, or even a combination of the two. Because the all the Qashqai tribes use both types of knots, it is difficult to tell from which individual tribe any one rug has come from.
Gabbeh Rugs Are Small – Often Just 3’ x 5’ in Size
A typical size for a Gabbeh carpet is 3 feet by 5 feet. It can take 18 to 25 hours to weave even a small Gabbeh rug. Tribal Gabbeh rugs usually have lower knot counts compared to other types of Persian carpet. This low knot count and the high quality of wool makes Gabbeh rugs famous for their exceptional durability.
Durable Floor Coverings, Wraps and Bedding to Protect from the Mountain Cold
Gabbeh rugs are often floppy because they have wider rows of multiple wefts. This made the soft, pliable rugs ideal as wraps or bedding to insulate against the bitter cold of the mountains.
Gabbeh rugs are often not symmetrical due to the nomadic lifestyle of their creators, and color variations within a rug are common. Often, the variation in color in a rug tells a story of the tribe’s migration, the climates and environments it encountered, and the tribe members who contributed to its creation.
Where to Buy Gabbeh Rugs
Unless you plan to travel to Iran to shop for Gabbeh rugs in the marketplace, we’d suggest buying a Gabbeh rug online from RugSource.com or visiting our showroom. We’re proud to bring these highly coveted rugs to you – please contact us if you’d like to know more.
Blue Rugs: Elegance and Versatility in Interior Design
Blue rugs have long been celebrated within the interior design industry for their ability to infuse spaces with a sense of calm and sophistication. At Rug Source, we understand the appeal of blue rugs and offer an extensive selection that caters to a diverse range of tastes and design preferences. Our commitment to providing superior options and exceptional value sets us apart from other competitors in the market.
Guiding You Through the Perfect Blue Rug Selection
The process of choosing the ideal blue rug for your space can be both exciting and overwhelming. That's why our team of experts at Rug Source is dedicated to assisting you every step of the way. Whether you're seeking a blue rug to complement your existing decor or looking to create a harmonious ambiance, our vast online inventory ensures you have access to a variety of options that suit your requirements.
The Significance of Material Selection
The material of your blue rug plays a crucial role in its durability, comfort, and overall aesthetic. Our collection features a diverse array of materials and styles to cater to your unique needs and preferences. Wool, acrylic, cotton, and synthetic blends are recommended for their durability and ability to withstand high-traffic areas. Additionally, the pile height of your rug contributes to its texture, with lower pile options offering greater resilience. Whatever your material preference, you'll find it within our extensive online catalog.
Enhancing Every Room with Blue Elegance
Blue rugs possess a remarkable versatility that enables them to enhance the aesthetic of any room. Consider the following room-by-room design suggestions to harness the beauty of blue rugs:
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Dining Room: Dark navy-blue rugs provide an elegant backdrop for fall and winter gatherings, offering a universal color palette that transitions seamlessly throughout the seasons. In contrast, pastel blue rugs add a sense of airiness to your dining room to complement spring and summer weather.
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Entryways: Blue rugs placed strategically at doorways offer practicality by capturing dirt and moisture, keeping your interiors cleaner. Additionally, blue rugs in darker shades hide stains easily, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
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Bathrooms: Soft blue rugs create a tranquil and spa-like atmosphere in bathrooms, transforming these spaces into serene retreats. They also soak up any water that splashes out of the tub to prevent slips and falls.
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Living Room: Lighter shades of blue paired with white walls and bright furniture create a chic, modern living area that exudes comfort. And, since blue is associated with peace in color psychology, you, your family, and your guests will experience a deeper sense of calm.
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Layering: Blue rugs are perfect for layering over existing carpets, adding depth and visual interest to any room. You can layer blue rugs with pieces in more muted tones, or you can mix the blue in amongst other brightly colored rugs for a whimsical feel.
Patterns, Sizes, and Design Considerations
At Rug Source, we pride ourselves on offering a vast supply of blue rugs, available in a myriad of shapes, patterns, and sizes. When choosing a rug, consider its design, size, and the atmosphere you wish to convey in your space. Larger rugs anchor rooms and unify furniture arrangements, while runner rugs are ideal for narrow spaces like hallways and entryways. Pattern sizes influence the perceived intimacy of a space, with smaller patterns creating coziness and larger patterns making bold statements.
Coloration Tips for Your Ideal Blue Rug
Blue rugs harmonize effortlessly with various colors, particularly greens and neutrals, infusing spaces with a serene ambiance. For a touch of elegance and sophistication, opt for royal or navy blue, which add a timeless allure to more formal settings. Alternatively, for bright and happy spaces such as a children’s playroom or a sunshine-filled breakfast nook, you can choose a bright or pastel blue to make the space feel vibrant, light, and airy.
Partnering with Rug Source: Your Path to Elegance
Purchasing the perfect blue rug is an art that requires careful consideration. At Rug Source, we encourage our clients to engage with our team of experts for guidance and support throughout their buying journey. Whether you have questions about materials, design choices, or sizing, we are here to assist you in making the best decisions for your space. Feel free to reach out to us through our online platform or by phone at 980-422-4080 or 704-763-0979.
Why trust Rug Source? Because our owner has been in the rug business for over 2 decades, and our company has been providing high-quality rugs of every shape, color, size, and historical origin since 2010. You can relax because when you work with Rug Source, you can trust that we know exactly what we’re doing and how to help you select the perfect rug for your home.
Your Destination for High-Quality and Trendsetting Rugs
Rug Source stands as a premier destination for wholesale and custom rugs, offering a fusion of quality, style, and affordability. As a discount rug company, we pride ourselves on providing a diverse selection of rugs that cater to every design preference. Our extensive inventory guarantees you'll find the perfect rug to match your style, whether traditional, modern, or eco-friendly.
Our in-depth knowledge of the rug industry and our experience acquiring rugs around the world allow us to offer superior carpets at competitive prices. With thousands of rug options available, Rug Source is your go-to store for your next area rug.
Unveil Your Style with Rug Source
Rug Source boasts an unparalleled range of rug styles that allow you to express your individuality. From Hand-Knotted designs that evoke tradition to modern rugs that infuse vibrant colors into your space, we cater to diverse aesthetics. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in our selection of eco-friendly rugs suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Our mission is to provide rugs that seamlessly integrate with your decor, creating an enchanting atmosphere and fulfilling your desire for aesthetic satisfaction. Explore our collection today to find the perfect rug that enhances the warmth and vibrancy of your living space.