Khorasan Rugs

Khorasan Rugs Overview

Khorāsān rugs, handwoven in northeastern Iran, are renowned for their intricate designs and vibrant colours. Herāt rugs are considered the quintessential example of this style, featuring a repeating lattice pattern adorned with blossoms and leaves. The borders typically display distinctive, curved arabesques. These rugs are often woven using the juftī knotting technique on a cotton foundation.

Rugs produced in Meshed and Bīrjand showcase a unique design characterised by round medallions, swirling stems reminiscent of Herāt rugs, and borders with multiple narrow stripes. Many of these rugs also employ the juftī knotting method.

Using cochineal for red dye and a significant amount of blue gives these rugs a purplish hue. However, their softness and less-than-ideal construction have contributed to their decreased durability.

History of Khorasan Rugs

Khorāsān has a rich history as a centre of learning and culture. Renowned figures hailed from this region as the poet Ferdowsi, the philosopher Omar Khayyam, and the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi.

Under the Qajar dynasty, Khorāsān’s territory was significantly reduced. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it was divided into three provinces: North, Razavi, and South Khorāsān.

Khorāsān has a long tradition of rug weaving dating back centuries. Herat and Mashad were prominent weaving centres known for their high-quality rugs. The “Portuguese” rug design, believed to have originated in Khorāsān, is highly sought after for its unique maritime motifs.

In the late 19th century, the growing demand for rugs in the West led to increased production in Khorāsān. Various cities and villages contributed to this boom, including Azghand, Birjand, and Mashad.

Baluch and Kurdish tribes also contributed to Khorāsān’s rug-weaving heritage. Their distinctive styles and techniques have influenced the region’s rug production.

Khorāsān rugs vary in size and type, from small tribal pieces to large room-sized rugs and flat woven items.

Characteristics of Khorasan Rugs

Khorasan city rugs are typically constructed with a cotton foundation and a wool pile. The Persian knot is the primary knotting technique used. Another technique, the Jufti knot, dating back to the 16th century, allows for faster weaving using four warp threads instead of two.

Baluch weavings are also made with a wool foundation and pile. While cotton foundations were sometimes used after World War II, wool remains the traditional choice. The Persian knot is the most common knotting technique for Baluch weavings.

Design and Pattern of Khorasan Rugs

Mashad rugs are renowned for their garden and shrub motifs. Herat rugs are celebrated for their Herati (fish) pattern.

Older Khorāsān rugs from the Safavid period feature various designs, including palmettes, Chahar Bagh (four-part garden), cypress trees, Herati (fish), lattice, and shrub motifs.

Khorasan city rugs generally incorporate floral designs.

Geometric patterns characterise Baluch weavings.

Kurdish weavers in Khorāsān produced pile and flat weave rugs with Kurdish-inspired geometric designs, known as Kurdi rugs.