Sabzevar Rug

Sabzevar Rug
Design of Sabzevar Rug (Rugman)
General information
Name	Sabzevar Rug
Original name	قالي سبزوار
Alternative name(s)	Sabzevar Carpet
Origin	Iran: Khorasan
Category	City
Technical information
Common designs	Medallion, Afshan, Shah Abbasi
Common colors	Crimson, Beige, Orange, Green, Blue, Navy Blue, Cream
Dyeing method	Natural, Synthetic
Pile material	Wool
Foundation material	Cotton
Knot type	Asymmetrical (Persian), Symmetrical (Turkish)

Sabzevar is a town located on the northwestern part of the province of Khorassan, in northeastern Iran. The pattern and colors used in most Sabzevar rugs are somewhat similar to those of the carpets woven in the holy city of Mashad. A traditional round central medallion pattern is dominant in Sabzevars with rich burgundy as the main color, and blue, and some green accents throughout. Lately, Sabzevar has started producing a series of very fine rugs, some with silk blended in with the wool. Such pieces are not the traditional design of a Sabzevar. Instead they adopt the patterns of other cities throughout Iran. This rug is an ideal way for adding a touch of class to a room setting where elegance is cherished.

History

Sabzevar is an old city located in the Khorasan Province of northeastern Iran. Situated on the road between Meshad and Tehran, Sabzevar is an important commercial and agricultural center for the surrounding towns and villages. During the late nineteenth century, Sabzevar wool was in demand and purchased by Kashan weavers because of its high quality.
Sabzevar carpets are known in the market from the turn of the twentieth century. The carpet designs are floral and greatly influenced by Meshad carpet styles. Sabzevar red-blue background colorations are also similar to those of Meshads.
After World War II, carpet production in Sabzevar greatly increased, under the supervision of Meshad manufacturers, who used the lower-cost Sabzevar weavers to produce rugs similar in coloration and designs to Meshad carpets.
Sabzevar carpets were mostly marketed as Meshad or Khorasan carpets domestically and abroad. Medallion or allover styles with traditional Shah Abbas palmette, leaf, and vine motifs were popular.
Field and border colors are reds, blues, or ivory. Additionally, shades of green, gold, gray, cinnamon, brown, and other traditional colors are used for the design elements.
Sabzevar carpets have a cotton foundation and a high-quality wool pile. The Persian (asymmetric) knot is employed. Sizes range from approximately five feet by three feet to large room formats. They are generally woven in grade qualities of good to fine.
Baluch tribal weavings from the surrounding area are also marketed in this city. They have a wool foundation and a wool pile. After World War II, most of the foundations were converted to cotton. Some early Sabzevar Baluchs were made fine in quality and consist of colorful designed kilims at both ends of the rug. The kilim finishes add charm to these nomadic rugs.
By the late twentieth century, many Sabzevar weavers switched from their traditional designs to make carpets similar to those of other weaving regions in Iran in accordance with the demand of domestic and foreign export consumers.

See also

Search for Sabzevar Rug on Wikipedia.

Bibliography

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