Central Persia

Central Persia or Central Persia

Central Iran consists of the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains to the north, the Zagros Mountains to the south, the Central Iran Mountains and the Dasht-e Kavir desert.
It includes the provinces of Isfahan, Yazd, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Markazi, Qazvin, Alborz, Tehran, Qom and Semnan.
The main cities are Tehran, Isfahan, Arak, Yazd, Karaj, Qazvin, Qom, Kashan, Saveh and Shahr-e Kord.

Persian carpets

The Persian carpet is a brilliant and glorious manifestation of the rich culture and superior artistic sense of the Iranians. The art of hand weaving rugs begins with the imagination and creativity of designing the pattern and comes to life with the knotting of the threads to create a work of art.

The Persian carpet is perhaps the most well-known expression that comes to mind when talking about Iran or the Iranians. The Persian carpet is one of the oldest handicrafts in history and is now considered a valuable and profitable commodity. Experts can assess the price and value of a Persian rug based on several factors, including the complexity of the patterns, the material, the number of knots, the variety of colors in the pattern, and the age and provenance of the rug. The Persian carpet has a deep-rooted history. The Pazyryk carpet, kept in the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, is an ancient testament to the value and authenticity of the Persian carpet and is over 2500 years old according to the findings of archaeologists and specialists. This article attempts to answer some of the most crucial questions about Persian carpets, such as: B. its history and the difference between a Persian rug and a Persian rug, and also highlights the most influential factors that affect the price and value of a Persian rug. At the end of the article you will find several useful tips and warnings on how to maintain and clean a handmade Persian rug so that it retains its appearance and overall quality.

History of the Persian Carpet

The Iranians were among the first peoples to develop the original and ancient art of carpet weaving. They achieved a high level of perfection over the centuries as they designed and crafted priceless handmade Persian rugs that date back more than 2.500 years. Historians claim that the art of hand-weaving carpets in ancient Iran, also known as Persia, was started by the nomadic tribes of Iran. This claim is supported by the discovery of the Pazyryk carpet by a Russian archaeologist, which according to expert estimates dates back to the 5th century. The Pazyryk carpet is an excellent example of the art of carpet weaving; this unique art and technique has constantly changed, developed and expanded over the centuries due to the varying conditions caused by the different ruling empires in the Persian territory.

Persian carpets are generally known for their symmetrical knots and the delicacy of their designs. In comparison, the patterns and weaves of other handmade and oriental carpets are generally less careful and delicate, being less accurately and asymmetrically knotted; they are also woven in simpler patterns and in less bright colors than Iranian carpets.

One of the most famous historical Persian carpets is the "Khosrow Spring" which was knotted by Iranians during the monarchy of Khosrow I, one of the Persian kings of Iran from 531 to 579 AD. Historians consider the Khosrow Spring Carpet to be the most valuable handmade carpet of all time. This gigantic silk carpet measured 400′ x 100′ and weighed several tons.

The splendor of design and the professionalism of carpet weaving reached its peak during the Safavid Dynasty in the 16th century. Some of history's most epic carpets made during the Safavid era survive and are displayed in the world's most important museums, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum.

Today, Iranian carpets are the most popular handicrafts and souvenirs of Iran. They represent the rich and deep-rooted history of Persia and the distinctive culture of the Iranian people and bring them closer to the citizens of the world.

Tip: Travelers who are interested in the most magnificent handmade Persian carpets have the opportunity to visit the Iranian Carpet Museum during the Iranian World Treasures Tour and can ask their companion to find and visit the Carpet Museum in Tehran.

Texture of Iranian carpets

Iranian rugs and carpeting belong to the cut pile types, which denote types of carpet or carpeting in which, unlike the loop pile types, the weaver cuts off the top surface of the pile formed by knotting the yarn on the backing of the carpet or carpeting. Carpets and cut-pile rugs can have piles of different heights and thicknesses. Therefore, cut-pile or higher-pile rugs have a softer feel, but can also have disadvantages, such as: B. Difficulty cleaning or vacuuming, or even vacuuming marks that may remain on the pile after vacuuming.

The term "loop pile," also called "uncut pile," refers to rugs or carpeting where the knotted and looped yarn is not cut in half at the surface of the rug or rug. Loop pile rugs or rugs may not offer the same softness and artistic appearance as cut pile rugs or rugs, but they also have their own notable benefits, such as: B. Durability and easy cleaning make them the best options for flooring in public areas or high-traffic locations, but loop pile rugs or rugs can also be used in residential areas. Tip: On Eavar's nomadic voyages, travelers interested in observing the process of hand-weaving have the opportunity to visit towns and places known for weaving high-quality Persian carpets. In addition, travelers and guests of Eavar can also buy the Iranian carpet of their choice at the relevant bazaars during their visit.

Why is the Iranian carpet famous?

Experts have found that several countries like Turkey, Spain, China, Afghanistan, India, Egypt, Kazakhstan and parts of Europe like Romania have been making handwoven rugs since ancient times. However, among other competitors, Iran has been the most successful country in developing and improving the techniques, designs and quality of hand-woven carpets. This distinction and popularity is due to several reasons. The main feature of hand-woven Iranian rugs that sets them apart from their competitors in the market is the variety and vibrancy of their colors. In addition, the patterns and plans by which Persian rugs are woven are significantly more complex and detailed than rugs made in other countries. Therefore, the knotting and weaving of Iranian handmade carpets takes significantly longer than the knotting and weaving of other handmade carpets made in other countries.

What factors determine the price of a Persian rug?

The value of a Persian rug can fluctuate in a wide range of prices; Iranian rugs can be considerably expensive or have an affordable price depending on the buyer's budget limitation. The price of a handmade Persian rug can be affected by several different factors, and each of these factors can separately affect the cost and value of the rug or carpet. These factors are as follows:

The material of the Persian rug: Usually, the material is the most fundamental factor in the pricing process, and the Persian rug is no exception when it comes to pricing. To produce a handmade Iranian rug, the quality of the raw material is the determining factor in the pricing process. The yarn and fabric needed to make a handmade Persian rug can be chosen from a variety of options, including silk, wool and cotton. Silk rugs are the most expensive types of rugs; however, the price of a silk rug may be lower if the backing is not silk, compared to an all-silk rug, in which the backing fabric and pile are silk. Cotton carpets are less expensive than silk carpets and generally have a medium price. However, the most economical Persian rugs are made of wool.
In summary, silk rugs are the most expensive and valuable types of handmade Iranian rugs. However, the price will be estimated based on a few details, for example, if all the components of the rug are made of silk, the rug will also be more valuable and expensive, but if the silk pile is woven on a cotton or wool backing, the price of the rug will be lower than the all-silk rug, while still retaining its artistic and silky look. Another reason why silk rugs are very expensive and valuable is the fineness and detail of their patterns and designs. Because silk is considerably finer than wool and cotton, it allows the weaver to weave a softer, lighter and more detailed rug that can be easily folded.

The design of the Persian carpet and the degree of complexity of the pattern: Handmade Persian rugs with more complex, smaller and more detailed patterns and designs require more time and effort from the weaver than rugs with bolder, larger and simpler patterns. Also, weaving complex rugs requires significantly more experience and attention to detail from the weaver, which directly affects the price of the rug.
The total number of nodes: If a rug has a very complex and detailed pattern, it means it has a much higher knot count. Likewise, a handmade rug with a higher knot count will be woven longer than a rug with a lower knot count, requiring more labor and attention. Therefore, the number of knots is a crucial factor when evaluating a hand-knotted Persian rug. In general, a Persian rug consists of about 300 knots per square inch; this number of knots in such a small area is considerably high. Therefore, the lower the number of nodes, the lower the price.

The variety of colors used: A more colorful rug that is made of bold colors and of high quality will look more attractive and attract more eyes. The number and quality of colors used in a handmade rug are key factors in pricing a Persian rug. The use of a significantly diversified color palette requires higher skill and more attention to detail, apart from the fact that weaving a colorful rug takes too much time compared to a rug of a limited number of colors. Therefore, a higher number of colors in a rug has a positive effect on its price.
Age and origin of the carpet: Like any other piece of antique furniture, rugs can have a higher value when they are older than younger rugs. However, the condition of the carpet is also crucial; an old rug whose location is ideal in terms of color and texture can command a significantly higher price depending on how unique and rare the rug's pattern and design is. Handmade Persian rugs and carpets are produced in several regions of Iran, but among all these cities, Qom and Kashan are the most famous in the industry. Nevertheless, the desire and preference of the buyer determine which carpet pattern is best suited for his purpose.

Tips for cleaning and preserving Persian carpets

  • Handmade Iranian rugs or carpeting require special attention and care as they are made from organic and natural materials and extremely delicate dyes. Experts suggest some crucial tips for maintaining the look and texture of handmade Persian rugs.
  • First of all, the carpet should be laid on a dry, dust-free and even surface; in addition, it is also suggested not to put the rug on top of another rug.
    One of the most common reasons handmade rugs become damaged is excess water dripping from plant vases directly onto the rug or even areas in close proximity to the rug, which can rot the texture or cause stains on the rug. Unfortunately, a rotten carpet may not be repairable, or may require the help of an expert to revive.
  • In addition, heavy, pointy furniture that has been left on the carpet continuously for a long period of time can result in visible indentations in the carpet surface. If the indentation is recognized immediately, it can be touched up with a toothbrush; the dented area should be brushed in the opposite direction of the deformed bristles until they return to their normal shape. However, in more severe cases, depressions can be repaired by placing ice cubes on the dented area; as the ice melts, the deformed bristles absorb water and gradually return to their normal shape. However, in cases where the indentation is extremely old and deep, the deformation may not be fully reversible.
  • To protect the colors of the rug from fading caused by direct sunlight, the user should place a piece of fabric on the rug and turn and move it every six months.
  • If in places where handmade carpets are stored, the humidity index is significantly increased or the air does not circulate regularly, it is suggested to facilitate air circulation by monthly opening the doors and windows of the room. If this isn't possible, or the room doesn't have some form of ventilation, in open spaces you should take the rug outside and keep it for at least an hour if possible.
  • Handmade carpets must be vacuumed regularly, as the dust accumulated in the carpet structure accelerates the carpet rotting process; In addition to vacuuming the carpet surfaces, the back of the carpet should also be vacuumed once a year.
  • Finally, if the rug is to be stored for a long period of time, it is best to roll it rather than fold it and pack it carefully in a plastic bag. However, before you roll up each layer, you should put in some dried tobacco or naphthalene pills to protect the carpet from termites and moths. In addition, the storage room should have adequate and constant air circulation.
  • The cleanliness of the carpet is a crucial feature that affects the splendor and attractiveness of its appearance; therefore carpets should be washed every three to five years. However, since handmade rugs are very sensitive to water, temperature, steam, overpressure and chemical cleaning agents, it is highly recommended that this task be left to experienced professionals who will take care of washing handmade rugs.
  • In a situation where washing handmade rugs at home is unavoidable, it is best to clean only the stained area with cold water and a soft cloth or, if necessary, use a diluted mixture of suitable detergents containing specially made for handmade carpets. Washing a handmade rug with water and detergents should only be done by experienced professionals, as washing a handmade rug at home or by inexperienced people can cause irreparable damage to the rug.

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