Persian rugs – the contemporary feel

So you love the appeal of antique Persian rugs, but not the ornate designs? You can still be the proud owner of a Persian rug and maintain a completely contemporary look in your home.

When we talk about Persian rugs, we tend to think of antiques. But the tradition of carpet-making is alive and well, and hand-made Persian rugs can reflect a modern, contemporary feel in your home.

The gabbeh is a Persian rug made of thickly knotted wool coloured with vegetable dyes. Woven in simple patterns that complement modern furniture, gabbeh Persian rugs are made by Iran's nomadic Gashgahi tribe. Gabbeh Persian rugs are still only made in the summer by the tribe's women in the Iranian desert and the artistic quality hasn’t been compromised.
In Farsi (the language of Persia), the word Gabbeh means something raw or natural, uncut or "in the rough." Gabbehs are the world's best-known coarsely woven Persian rugs. True nomadic rugs such as the Gabbeh are almost exclusively knotted for personal use, and often the woman's spirit and natural artisanship are quite apparent in these personal interpretations of their life in art.
A characteristic of Gabbeh Persian rugs is a very thick pile, woven in a relatively low knot density. Designs are typically geometric and symbolic in shape and style. Gabbeh Persian rug weavers may be telling a story, depicting a landscape or scene, or even conveying an emotion. Most commonly Gabbeh Persian rugs will be asymmetric and woven, with figures and symbols depicting parts of the weaver's "tale". It is this subjective and random process that renders a genuine Gabbeh a completely unique work of art, distinct from other Persian rugs and from many other types of weaving or knotting in general.
Gabbeh Persian rugs are usually woven on horizontal looms, which can be assembled quickly and easily - a necessity for these nomadic people of Southern Iran. Gabbeh Persian rugs are constructed from local handspun sheep wool and vegetal dyes. Women in the region are often seen spinning and carding the long-fibred wool by hand. Dyes are extracted from native plants and roots found in the Zagros mountain range, and are formulated from traditional recipes that have been developed over centuries. Pomegranate skin, walnut husks, madder root, and indigo are a few examples of the raw materials used in this Persian rug.
The colour of the Gabbeh Persian rug is organic in composition and appearance. The irregularities in the dyestuff and wool result not in a pure colour, but rather a collage of similar hues, which gives Gabbeh Persian rugs their rich texture and emphasizes their unmistakable nomadic origin and spirit. Well cared-for Gabbeh Persian rugs typically appreciate with use and age.
The Gabbeh Pe rsian rug has recently enjoyed prominence in the most unlikely of genres – contemporary film. Iranian film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf used the Gabbeh prominently in his love story of the same name that received great acclaim at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. An elderly couple go about their routine of cleaning their gabbeh Persian rug, while bickering gently with each other. Magically, a young woman appears, helping the two clean the rug. This young woman belongs to the clan whose history is depicted in the design of the gabbeh, and the Persian rug recounts the story of the courtship of the young woman by a stranger from the clan.
Gabbehs are the ideal Persian rug for a modern room due to their bright colours and vibrant designs, often of pastoral scenes. Others use bold patterns as a counterpoint to the clean lines, muted colours and minimalist design of contemporary living spaces.
We at Karel Weijand are happy to answer any queries you may have about each of the Persian rugs we have in stock. Call us on 01252 726215, e-mail us at carpets@karelweijand.com or visit our showroom today.