Koliai carpets

Koliai carpet

Koliai (also: Koliay, Kolyay, Q(u)liay) is an oriental carpet originally from Persian Kurdistan. The Kurds of Kordestan lived as nomads but have since settled down. They live from agriculture and animal husbandry. The collective term Koliai covers very different carpets from the regional rural population, especially from the western provinces of Kordestan, Zanjan and Kermanshah.

What they have in common is that they are tied together in a high, massively bulky heap. Her motifs often consist of geometric figures in soft colors. Motifs with small diagonal diamonds are also common.

carpet quality

The design is robust. Heavy, compact rugs are durable. The classic dimensions are 150-160 x 300-330 cm. They are therefore quite narrow carpets in relation to their length. The symmetrical or Turkish knot is mainly used. Wool is always used as the basis.

Older Koliai carpets are usually knotted on a wool warp, younger ones on a cotton warp. Both have two weft threads between the rows of knots.

Manufacturers often use design-related objects - unconsciously eclectic - from outside their own region with different origins. However, their imitations acquire a character of their own, especially as far as the color is concerned, which regularly appears very saturated.

Koliai rugs are also known as Songhur. There is also Bidjar and Senneh.