The Bakhtiari rug, along with other weavings, is a major artform of the
Bakhtiari tribe, located in
Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
. Since the early 19th century, Bakhtiari rugs have been exported around the world.
Geography
While originally woven by nomadic Bakhtiari, most authentic Bakhtiari rugs are woven in Bakhtiari settled communities in west central Iran southwest of Isfahan in
Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari, as well as parts of the provinces of
Isfahan,
Lorestan, and eastern
Khuzestan, most notably in the town of
Shahr-Kurd
Shahr-e Kord ( fa, شهركرد, also Romanized as Shahrekord and Shahr Kord) is the capital city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. It is the largest city in the province, and is 90 km away from Iran's third largest city, Isfahan ...
.
Bakhtiari rugs were also known after their place of origin, such as
Saman or
Hureh (Hori).
However, Bakhtiari patterns are copied in other weaving centers in Iran, Pakistan, India and China; the location-based name often refers to the place of origin of the pattern and the quality of the rug, rather than to its place of actual manufacture. ''Saman'' and ''Hori'' are now regarded as grades of Bakhtiari rugs, rather than as geographical terms.
Structure
Bakhtiari carpets are based on a cotton foundation (
warp
Warp, warped or warping may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Books and comics
* WaRP Graphics, an alternative comics publisher
* ''Warp'' (First Comics), comic book series published by First Comics based on the play ''Warp!''
* Warp (comics), a ...
) with a wool
weft
Warp and weft are the two basic components used in weaving to turn thread or yarn into fabric. The lengthwise or longitudinal warp yarns are held stationary in tension on a frame or loom while the transverse weft (sometimes woof) is dra ...
usually taken from the herds of the producing tribe. This leads to unique carpets that differ depending on the characteristics of each tribe's wool. The wool can range from dull to extreme glossy and the resultant pile is clipped medium to high. The best carpets with the highest
knot density
Knot density is a traditional measure for quality of handmade or knotted pile carpets. It refers to the number of knots, or knot count, per unit of surface area - typically either per square inch (kpsi) or per square centimeter (kpsc), but al ...
are often known as ''Bibibaff''.
Prices range considerably with the highest knot density rugs generally being the most expensive, but price is also affected by criteria such as the pattern and the dyes used. ''Chapel Shotur'' and ''Saman'' pieces are rated slightly beneath ''Bibibaff'' productions, but are still considered to be good to excellent. ''Hori'' carpets are of looser weave and inferior quality and as such, are generally widely affordable.
The sizes vary from narrow hall carpets to large room designs, often up to 4 m × 5 m. The larger rugs tend to be very rare and harder to come by. Similarly, older rugs, often coveted by collectors, can be extremely costly.
Patterns
Patterns are usually floral or garden inspired. The ''Khesti'', an established garden motif, is perhaps the most well-known rug design. The carpet is divided into individual squares with animals and plants acting as symbols. Another influential design features a decorated field with lattice designs and floral ornaments.
Colors
The use of colors varies depending on styles of certain tribes. Generally they include shades of white, reds, browns, greens, and yellows. Blue does not appear to feature. Natural dyes produce variations in color, which are particularly obvious on older Bibibaffs.
Notes
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bakhtiari Rug
Persian rugs and carpets