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	Lachak Toranj
Common motifs & patterns	Like to Isfahan Rug
Common colors	Red, Beige, Ivory, Navy Blue, Blue, Green
Dyeing method	Natural, Synthetic
Pile material	Wool, Silk
Foundation material	Cotton, Silk
Knot type	Aysemmetrical (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 are produced in large quantities and are mainly marketed as an inexpensive alternative to Isfahans in the domestic and foreign export markets. 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.

Materials

Foundation and Pile

Najafabad carpets have a cotton foundation and a wool pile.

Bibliography

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