Kurdi Rug

Kurdi Rug
Design of Kurdi Rug (Rugman)
General information
Name	Kurdi Rug
Original name	فرش کردی، قالی کردی
Alternative name(s)	Kurdi Carpet
Origin	Iran: Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Mazandaran
Category	Tribal, Village, City
Technical information
Common designs	Geometric, Boteh, Herati, Medallion, Tribal
Common colors	Red, Blue, Navy Blue, Beige, Cream, Camel
Dyeing method	Natural, Synthetic
Pile material	Wool
Foundation material	Cotton, Wool, Silk
Knot type	Symmetrical (Turkish), Asymmetrical (Persian)

History

Kurd tribes live across thousands of square miles in the Middle East, concentrated in eastern Anatolia (Turkey), northeastern Iraq, Syria, and Kurdistan in northwestern Iran. The Kurd population is estimated to be twenty-five million people worldwide. Over the centuries many empires and tribes conquered the Kurd region, among them the Tatars, Turkmens, Seljuks, Armenians, and Circassians (Cherkes). The Kurds, however, were strong fighters and were able to force out foreign occupiers to maintain their culture and nationality.
The weaving background of the Kurdish people traces back 3,500 years. They first made looms in order to weave tents and clothing. Kurd rugs and carpets from at least the early eighteenth century are known in the market. The Kurd population has three different identifiable weaving groups: the seminomadic, the village, and the city weaver. All solely employ the Turkish (symmetric) knot.
Kurd seminomadic rugs have geometric and primitive designs in either medallion or allover styles. Nomadic designs, Star and stylized Hook motifs, and flower heads surround the major field patterns. Often, animals and birds are woven in the background and borders. Only in Anatolia (Turkey) did seminomadic weavers create Mihrab (prayer arch) designs. Kurd seminomadic weavings are made for personal use and for sale in the markets. Flatwoven mum rugs, tribal items, small bags, and rugs in sizes up to approximately eight feet by five feet are made. Kurdish seminomadic weavings are generally coarse in grade quality, with a wool foundation and a wool pile. The most important colors are reds, browns, black, dark blue, or, at times, ivory. In addition, tones of green, gray, camel, and cinnamon are used for the design elements. Undyed natural white, brown, and black wool also appear in these weavings.

See also

Search for Kurdi Rug on Wikipedia.

Bibliography

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