Persian rug Kars 111 x 95 cm, pure wool, hand-knotted

Material and workmanship

The carpet features a pile of 100% virgin wool and a warp of 100% cotton. It was hand-knotted. Technical specifications include a pile height of approximately 5–7 mm and a knot density of approximately 200000 knots per square meter. The provenance is listed as Kars, and the country of origin as Iran.

origin and tradition

The term Kars refers to a regional carpet-making tradition associated with the Caucasian nomads living around the city of the same name. In this tradition, wool carpets are hand-knotted. Within the broader category of Persian and Iranian carpet production, various regional origins are distinguished; well-known centers of Persian weaving include Nain, Sarough, Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Bijar, and Qom. The information provided here describes the origins and production contexts without further historical detail.

design and pattern

The Kars carpet is characterized by a clearly geometric pattern. The yarns used were dyed with natural plant-based dyes. Compared to other Persian patterns, which can display both floral and geometric forms, the geometric structure of the Kars carpet is particularly pronounced. Persian carpets in general often exhibit more elaborate patterns in both floral and geometric forms; the aforementioned provenances are representative of regions with distinct, yet documented, motif traditions.

Features

Technical features of this carpet include the documented knot density and pile thickness. The combination of pure wool pile and cotton warp is common in hand-knotted carpet production: pure wool offers a soft feel as well as sound-dampening properties and helps regulate humidity in the room, while cotton warp is durable and finely spun. Hand-knotting requires skilled technique and patience; hand-knotted carpets are described here as being finer and more supple than those made by machine.

What material is the carpet made of?

The pile is made of 100% virgin wool, the warp of 100% cotton.

How is the processing carried out?

The rugs were hand-knotted. The documented pile thickness is approximately 5–7 mm; the knot density is approximately 200000 knots/m².

What regional characteristics are recognizable?

The carpet is attributed to the Kars provenance. Kars carpets are woven by the Caucasian nomads living around the city of Kars and feature a clear, geometric pattern. They are dyed with natural plant-based dyes. Within the broader context of Persian carpet traditions, several well-known provenances exist, each with characteristic patterns, including Nain, Sarough, Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Bijar, and Qom.