Location of Manufacture: North West Persia

Tabriz has had a chequered history it has been invaded by armies and devastated by earthquakes several times. Situated as it is in the north-west of Persia, it was at one time the capital of the country, although its people are Turkish in both origin and language. Since the mid 19th Century, it has been a major centre for the manufacture of rugs and carpets.

General Description: Rugs and carpets have been made at Tabriz for centuries, but it has only been a major producer since the mid 19th Century, when merchants found that export demand necessitated putting the industry on a ‘factory’ basis. Today few rugs or carpets are produced in private houses, the majority of the production being centred in small factories. The looms are vertical, often with metal rollers, and some are massive, producing carpets up to 30/35 feet (10m) wide. Since the mid 19th Century, designs have been made specifically to meet the export market and are therefore geared in some ways to satisfying European taste. Thus rugs from Tabriz can be found in most colours. The late 19th Century industry owes much to three master weavers, especially to Hali Jalil who was famed for his silk carpets. Around the fifties another weaver became popular- one Taba Tabaie. Although not of course antiques, his carpets may be equally sought after by the end of this Century.

Rugs and carpets were and are made in all sizes. Both Persian and Turkish knots are found, though the symmetrical Turkish predominates. Several qualities are known, with densities ranging from about 64 to 400 knots to the square inch. Thus there is a great variation in appearance between high and low quality rugs. In fine rugs, the pile is extremely compact but can be somewhat coarse, as the wool itself is coarse, a feature which is often accentuated by the fact that it is dyed and washed in water with a high salt content. Some of the finest carpets, made especially at the turn of the century, had silk piles. The warp and weft are both cotton, with the weft being double.

There is a great variety of designs, with many antique and traditional motifs being borrowed from other areas. They have also created their own designs which are unlike those of other Persian rugs. Rugs with large central medallions surrounded by floral motifs are common. Hunting patterns are also found. Borders are always exquisite; composed with three guards, the main band normally repeats the ground motif. Herati designs are found but are somewhat rare.

Specification: Loom - Vertical. Warp - Cotton. Weft - Cotton, of variable thickness. Pile - Wool, silk. Wool pile can be uneven and rough. Knot - Turkish, sometimes Persian, between 64 to 400 knots to the square inch. Motifs - Varied with preference to central medallions and floral motifs. Colours - Varied.