Najafabad Rug

Najafabad Rug
Design of Najafabad Rug (Rugman)
General information
Name	Najafabad Rug
Original name	قالی نجف‌آباد
Alternative name(s)	Najafabad Carpet
Origin	Iran: Isfahan
Category	City
Technical information
Common designs	Medallion
Common colors	Red, Beige, Ivory, Navy Blue, Blue, Green
Dyeing method	Natural, Synthetic
Pile material	Wool, Silk
Foundation material	Cotton, Silk
Knot type	Asymmetrical (Persian)

Najafabad rugs originate from Najafabad, located in central Iran near the city of Isfahan. As well as being a well known and respected center for area rug weaving, Najafabad is also the trade center for an agricultural region noted for its pomegranates. Najafabad rugs woven are not distinctive to the city, but rather to the region. The style follows most closely the designs and colors of its neighbors in Isfahan and Kashan and to a lesser degree Yadz and Ardekan. Although not the equal of the legendary Isfahan area rug, Najafabad rugs are of extremely good quality and have great symmetry to them. Local artisans use Persian knots which offer greater precision.

History

Najafabad is a city located near Isfahan in the Isfahan Province of central Iran. Najafabad carpets are known in the trade from the second quarter of the twentieth century. They are categorized as Isfahan carpets in the world market.
Najafabad carpets have a cotton foundation and a wool pile. The Persian (asymmetric) knot is employed, but in a lower weave count compared to authentic Isfahan carpets. Najafabad carpets are produced in large quantities and are mainly marketed as an inexpensive alternative to Isfahans in the domestic and foreign export markets.
The carpets are floral and copy the designs of Isfahans with Shah Abbas patterns. The carpets are woven in an allover or medallion style. Najafabad field colors are ivory or reds, although a small percentage has a blue field. In addition to these colors, varying shades of green, blue, gold, brown, gray, cinnamon, and other hues are chosen for the design elements, borders, and medallion.
Najafabad carpet sizes generally range from small room to large living room dimensions. The weavings are mainly good to very good in grade quality.
By the last quarter of the twentieth century, weaving quality changed in Najafabad, as in many other villages and cities in Iran. Some Isfahan manufacturers of silk foundation rugs came to establish looms in Najafabad weavers' homes to make carpets of a similar style and equal quality to fine Isfahan carpets.

See also

Search for Najafabad Rug on Wikipedia.

Bibliography

1. Abraham Levi Moheban. 2015. The Encyclopedia of Antique Carpets: Twenty-Five Centuries of Weaving. NewYork: Princeton Architectural Press.