Tabriz: Home of World-Renowned Persian Rugs

Tabriz is a large and active city in Iran on the Sahand range, which is located at an altitude of 1,000 meters and leads to Lake Urmia. The strategic location of this city, which is on the way trading routes, runs through Tehran, Istanbul and the Trabzons port of Turkey, making it one of the most important commercial centers of Iran. One of the primary exports of Tabriz has been Persian rugs, so named because Iran used to be called Persia. This area is well weathered, with moderate summers and cold winters, but it’s not too cold. This area is an earthquake-stricken area and has been destroyed five times by the earthquake.

The city of Tabriz has its ancient origins: it is mentioned in Assyrian sources, while the people believed it was built in 791 A.D by the caliph’s wife Harun al-Rasheed who tended to have a new city with a pleasant weather. At the time of Arab Caliphate, this city played a significant role and during the Seljuk Turks and Mongols period it was chosen as the capital of the government. At that time, mosque and magnificent buildings were built in the city, including the Kabood mosque which is also artistically important. This mosque had a valuable library and a famous painting school. As the beginning of the 16th century Tabriz was chosen as the first capital of the Safavids.

In the long period of conflict with the Ottomans, this city was a place of tension and it has intervened in the attempts of the northern provinces of Iran to join Russia from the late 18th to the early 20th. Accidents and wars didn’t cause Tabriz to lose its important role in business: Due to its neighboring with Turkish ports especially Trabzon, to European traders, it has always been considered an important city and they considered Tabriz as an important center for the production of handmade Persian rugs.

Rug weaving in this city has an ancient background and a long history. This city has been one of the main centers of rug weaving in the Safavid era. In subsequent periods, the demand of European companies operating in Tabriz also showed that rug weaving in high quality and special designs and styles has been widely common in Tabriz. In Tabriz Ziegler Company and an important German company PersischeTeppicheAktienGeSellschaft has branches in the field of rug weaving known as Petag, which were often adorned with classic designs. Persian rugs from Tabriz had a special elegance in the 19th century, and, alongside inspiration from traditional Iranian designs, they also used innovative designs. They were very careful in choosing the raw materials and its quality for Tabriz rugs.

These rugs are woven with symmetrical knots and often are made of cotton warp which is very compressed to the point that the back of the rug is prominent. Warps are composed of two or sometimes three strands of twisted array like (Z2S or Z3S). Occasionally, there are rugs which have silk fibers and are often colorful: in this case, these rugs are called seven-color in local dialect.

The weft goes through the knots twice, in the first row the weft is made of a strong and stretched cotton yarn which compresses the warp.

The second weft is thin and loose and it is made of a delicate cotton yarn which is usually azure or pink. In classic Tabriz rugs, woolen or silk wefts are rarely seen. Tabrizi weavers are among the fastest and most skilled weavers throughout Iran; traditionally, they have a hook to break knots in their rugs, which also has a blade to cut the knots. With this method, a weaver can do up to 12,000 knots per day, counting the time it takes to pass the wefts through warps twice. In Tabriz, the elegance of rugs is defined by the ridge: Each ridge is a unit with a length of about 7 centimeters. There can be 25 to 70 knots in a ridge. The elegance and the ridge count of Tabriz persian rugs is very different and the ridge count of 25, 35 and 40 can be seen from the old samples to the present. But ridge counts such as 50, which are more popular nowadays, are commonly used for export-oriented rugs and in this group ridge count of 60 and 70 are also seen. The excellent quality of Tabriz rugs is not only sue to the technical ability of the weavers, but also because of the possession of high quality raw materials, especially local wool, that was gotten from sheep which were bred in the mountainous region of Maku in the northwest of the province near the Turkey’s border and was often used for rug weaving but today, this process has changed a lot, the use of imported wool and spinning machine has greatly influenced the quality of this rug, especially in color shades that are affected by the raw materials. In Maku region, sheep’s wool is sheared twice a year. Spring shearing is happened in March, and an exceptionally elegant wool named KuzenjuniPashmy comes from the first shearing and it’s as delicate as Kashmir fiber. The strength of the used strands and the weft weaving method (LoolBaaf) caused Tabriz rugs to be durable and compact and feel a bit rough when touched. Among the woven rugs in Tabriz from the mid-nineteenth century to the first years of the twentieth century, there are countless silk samples which are rivals of the handmade rugs in Istanbul and Hereke.

In these rugs which are weaved so accurately and nicely, sometimes traditional medallion designs and sometimes various and fresh designs are utilized and their tissue is often special for oversea markets.

In the last decades, some inexpensive materials like tanning wool, which originate from sheep, were used in Tabriz rugs. In some cases, the double knots are used. Sometimes you see a pair of similar rugs on a Tabriz loom and this causes a side of the rug undergo the binding process after the weaving ends.

The dimension of these rugs are so much various ranging from small to large size, even though there are some extra large rugs. Sometimes, some long rugs are weaved called running ones which are set on lateral sides of rugs and covers the floor. On superior part, another rug used to be weaved called “Kalagi” whose length was 2 to 3 folds of the width and lateral dimensions have 1-meter width and 3 or 4 meters length. The dimensions of the “Kalagi” is usually 4*1.5 or 4*2 m. once the coloring was totally botanical, but nowadays we use synthetic industrial colors. A major feature of Tabriz rugs that have natural color and belongs to the last century, is less brightness of the piles, which is probably because of the water effect and a great deal of alkyne in the dyeing process.

The used schemes as before mentioned, are so various as “Janamazi” and “TarheBaqi” rugs were observed among classic medallion and corner designs and vase schemes in Safavid era. The rugs decorated by subtle and detailed “Harati” designs, are observed as well that these small designs covers all the background. In Tabriz handmade rugs, the traditional tissue of illustrated rugs decorated by hunting scenes are so much common that are similar to the Safavid era’s rugs. In opting the margins, the “Harati” or palmette flower designs were common, which once used to be called ” samovar ” or “turtle” designs.

Also, cloudy design margins and some epigraph schemes of poem-like scripts or phrases of quran were commonly used.

Among Tabriz-made Persian rugs, you can notice “Haji Jalili” which is named after the weaver master “Haj jalil Marandi” who lived in the late 19th century in Marand and his masterpieces are retained in some museum in 50s, an important workshop in Tabriz was managed by Tabatabai whose rug’s feature was the prompting the weaving by using a small technical modification. The second weft which was loose and azure wouldn’t cross each knotwate but would cross each 10 or 30 wates, thereby the rugs were compact but no too heavy. Other famous Tabriz rugs are namely “faraji”,”Sedqiani” and “Alabaf”.

The Impact of Modernization on the Rug-Making Process in Tabriz

The city of Tabriz, located in northwest Iran, is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional art craft industries, including rug-making. However, with the advent of modernization, the rug-making process in Tabriz has undergone significant changes.

One of the most significant impacts of modernization on the rug-making process in Tabriz has been the introduction of new technologies and materials. Traditional hand-weaving techniques have been replaced by mechanized processes, which have increased production efficiency and lowered costs. Additionally, synthetic dyes and materials have been introduced, which have allowed for greater color variety and durability in the final product.

However, these changes have also had negative impacts on the quality and authenticity of Tabriz rugs. Many modern machines lack the finesse and skill of hand-weaving, resulting in a loss of the unique textures and patterns that have characterized Tabriz rugs for centuries. The use of synthetic materials and dyes has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of rug-making in the region.

Despite these challenges, Tabriz rug-makers have adapted to the changing landscape of their industry. Many have sought to balance modernization with traditional techniques, incorporating new technologies while still preserving the unique craftsmanship and cultural significance of their products. As a result, Tabriz rugs continue to be highly sought-after in global markets, representing both the rich history and ongoing evolution of this important craft industry.

Types of Persian Rugs Produced in Tabriz

Tabriz is a city in northwestern Iran that is known for producing high-quality Persian rugs. There are several types of Persian rugs that are produced in Tabriz, each with its own unique features and designs. Here are some of the most common types:

Tabriz Mahi (Fish) rugs. These rugs feature a central medallion surrounded by a repeating pattern of fish. The fish are usually stylized and abstract, and the overall effect is a stunning visual display.
Tabriz Gonbad rugs. These rugs feature a central dome or tower motif, which is surrounded by intricate geometric patterns. The design is meant to evoke the feeling of a mosque or other religious structure.
Tabriz Herati rugs. These rugs feature a repeating pattern of a flower with a diamond-shaped leaf, known as the Herati pattern. This is one of the most common designs found in Persian rugs, and it is particularly popular in Tabriz.
Tabriz Haji Jalili rugs. These rugs are named after the famous master weaver Haji Jalili, who worked in Tabriz in the 19th century. They are known for their intricate floral patterns and intricate color schemes, which often include shades of blue, red, and green.
Tabriz Shah Abbasi rugs. These rugs feature a central medallion surrounded by a repeating pattern of stylized floral motifs. The design is named after the 16th-century Safavid ruler Shah Abbas, who was a patron of the arts.

These are just a few examples of the many types of Persian rugs produced in Tabriz. Each type has its own unique features and design elements, making them valuable additions to any home or collection.

How to Identify an Authentic Persian Rug from Tabriz

When it comes to purchasing a Persian rug, you want to make sure that you are investing in an authentic piece. While there are many rugs on the market that may resemble Persian rugs, there are certain distinguishing characteristics that will help you identify an authentic Persian Rug from Tabriz.

Unique Design. Authentic Persian rugs from Tabriz have a distinct design and color palette. They feature a range of colors including blues, reds, greens and yellows with an emphasis on symmetrical designs and intricate floral patterns. You can also look out for signature motifs such as the Herati pattern, which symbolizes fertility, or the Boteh motif, which is meant to represent life.
High-Quality Materials. Authentic Persian Rugs from Tabriz are made using high-quality wool and cotton materials. The wool is hand-spun and dyed using natural vegetable dyes to ensure the rug’s longevity and vibrancy. The cotton foundation of the rug provides strength and cushioning for long-term use.
Tonality. The weaving technique used to create Persian rugs from Tabriz has a distinct tone that is often described as “persuasive”. Master weavers use their hands to manipulate the yarn to achieve a unique texture that is both soft and firm at once. This tonality will be absent in cheaper imitations of a Persian Rug from Tabriz.
Knots. If you take a close look at an authentic Persian rug from Tabriz, you will notice small knots throughout the rug that form intricate patterns and designs. These knots should be uniform in size throughout the rug, indicating mastery over knotting techniques.

These distinguishing features will help you identify a beautiful authentic Persian Rug from Tabriz amongst cheaper imitations on the market today. Investing in an authentic piece ensures durability and longevity along with timeless beauty for your home décor!

Benefits of Owning a Handmade Persian Rug from Tabriz

Owning a handmade Persian rug from Tabriz is an investment that will last you a lifetime. These beautiful and unique rugs are crafted with expert skill, and they bring warmth and character to any home. Here are just some of the many benefits of owning a handmade Persian rug from Tabriz:

1. Durability & Longevity. Handmade Persian rugs from Tabriz are highly durable and can last for generations if properly cared for. These rugs are made with high-quality materials and superior craftsmanship, ensuring they will stand up to the test of time.

2. Unique Beauty. These handmade Persian rugs from Tabriz provide an unparalleled level of beauty in any space they occupy due to their unique designs, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors. The combination makes them truly one-of-a-kind pieces that will draw compliments wherever you place them!

3. Comfort. Not only do these rugs look great, but they also provide comfort underfoot. The natural wool fibers absorb sound and add insulation to any room, making them the perfect addition for any living space or bedroom. Plus, the soft texture of the wool helps create a cozy atmosphere in any room!

4. Versatility. Handmade Persian rugs from Tabriz come in various sizes, colors and styles, making them suitable for all types of interiors and decor schemes. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or modern, there’s sure to be a handmade Persian rug from Tabriz that will suit your needs perfectly!

5. Value. Investing in a handmade Persian rug from Tabriz is not only a great way to add beauty and warmth to your home; it’s also an investment that could potentially increase in value over time, depending on its rarity or age. So, if you’re looking for an item that will be appreciated over time as well as look great in your home, then this could be the perfect option for you!

With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why owning a handmade Persian rug from Tabriz has become such a popular trend amongst homeowners worldwide! If you’re considering adding one of these beautiful pieces to your own home décor collection, then don’t wait any longer — find the perfect handmade Persian rug from Tabriz from Rug Source today!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tabriz is a city with a rich cultural heritage that has been preserved through its traditional arts, especially in the production of Persian rugs. The art of rug weaving is deeply ingrained in Tabriz’s cultural identity and reputation, and its craftsmanship has been passed down from generation to generation. Persian rugs are not just objects of beauty but also symbols of the city’s rich history and tradition. They serve as a window into the cultural legacy of Tabriz and the Persian people, and are a testament to their skill and dedication to the art form. The city continues to produce works of some of the most exquisite area rugs in the world, which are highly prized for their quality and intricate designs. Visiting Tabriz and witnessing the art of rug weaving is an experience that offers a glimpse into a unique and cherished aspect of Persian culture.

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