Tafresh Rug
| Tafresh Rug | |
|---|---|
 Design of Tafresh Rug (Rugman) | |
| General information | |
| Name | Tafresh Rug |
| Original name | قالی تفرش |
| Alternative name(s) | Tafresh Carpet |
| Origin |  Iran: Markazi |
| Category | Village |
| Technical information | |
| Common designs | Medallon, Afshan, Tribal |
| Common colors | Crimson, Beige, Red, Blue, Cream, Green, Orange |
| Dyeing method | Natural, Synthetic |
| Pile material | Wool |
| Foundation material | Cotton |
| Knot type | Asyemmetrical (Persian) |
Tafresh rugs hand woven in the Markazi Province in in central Iran. the rugs of Tafresh closely resemble those of Hamadan. Tafresh rugs usually have a dense thick pile, made with fine wool. Smaller pieces are much more common than larger ones. Another characteristic that these rugs have, is their unusual softness. This can probably be associated with the high quality wool used in the making. The patterns are usually floral with some animal elements, but sometimes geometric styles can be seen.
History
Tafresh is a town located in central Iran. In the past, it was a village known for weaving rugs beginning in the 1900s. Old Tafresh rugs are categorized as Hamadan MOSUL RUGS.[1]
Materials
Foundation and Pile
The rugs have a cotton foundation and a wool pile.[2] Also the materials can be all wool, all silk or a precise ratio of the two. The foundation (warp and weft) of the rugs is cotton except in very fine pieces where it is pure silk.
Techniques and structures
Color and dyeing
Most Tafresh rug backgrounds are woven in reds or ivory. Along with these colors, different shades of blue, beige, green, brown, gray, and gold appear in the borders, medallion, design elements, and outines.[3]
Motifs and Designs
Tafresh rugs are semigeometric and have their own design characteristics, with a large medallion in an Open Field and medallion quadrants in the corners. The medallion appears in three styles: with 3 large circular palmette woven in the middle; with flower heads, leaves, and vines woven throughout; and with sixteen extended pendants with leaves and Hower heads around the edges. At times, small tribal, primitive design elements are woven in the field. The main border has large palmettes surrounded by flower heads, leaves, and vines.[4]
Weaving techniques
The Turkish (symmetric) knot is utilized. Formats range from small mats to rugs approximately seven feet by four feet six inches. The grade qualities are generally good to very good. Early Tafresh rugs measuring approximately four feet by seven feet can have a market value up to $6,000. By the last quarter of the twentieth century, some Tafresh weavers switched from their traditional designs to make styles similar to those of neighboring areas to meet the demand of domestic and foreign consumers.[5]
See also
References
Bibliography
- Abraham Levi Moheban, (2015), The Encyclopedia of Antique Carpets: Twenty-Five Centuries of Weaving, NewYork: Princeton Architectural Press.
- Tafresh rugs, JOZAN: Rug news and antique rugs.