Shiraz Rug

Shiraz rugs originate from Shiraz, located in the Province of Fars, just south of Tehran. The history of this ancient city can be traced back to Neolithic times. Today Shiraz is considered to be the dominant market city of southwest Iran. Reputed to produce some of the finest Persian wool rugs on the market today, Shiraz is considered one of the most important cities for the weaving of wool rugs anywhere in the world. The weavers are truly skilled artisans who ply their craft using a horizontal loom and both Persian and Turkish knots with an approximate density of 100 KPSI (knots per square inch).

Shiraz Rug
Design of Shiraz Rug (Rugman)
General information
Name	Shiraz Rug
Original name	قالی شیراز
Alternative name(s)	Shiraz Carpet
Origin	Iran: Fars
Category	Village, Tribal
Technical information
Common designs	Afshan, Geometric, Tribal
Common colors	Blue, Red, Brown, Yellow, Green
Dyeing method	Natural, Synthetic
Pile material	Wool
Foundation material	Cotton, Wool, Goat Hair
Knot type	Asymmetrical (Persian), Symmetrical (Turkish)

Materials

Techniques and structures

Motifs and Designs

Shiraz rugs have geometric designs with a medallion, allover, or Mihrab (prayer arch) styles. The medallion design generally has one to four lozenge-shaped medallions, often edged by stylized Hook motifs. Small flower heads, leaves, vines, animals, birds, and other elements are woven in the background and medallion. Another pattern is the traditional Boteh (paisley), which was taken from the neighboring Kerman Province and appears in Shiraz rug fields. The Moharamat (stripes) design is woven vertically, horizontally, and diagonally in the background. The stripes in this style can be either narrow or wide throughout the background, and the border is sometimes also striped. The Lattice design was also made in rugs and features shrubs or flower heads. Other Shiraz designs are the Mihrab (prayer arch), Shrub, and Tree of Life, produced in a tribal style. The rugs generally have one or two narrow major borders and minor borders.

Bibliography

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