Saveh Rug
| Saveh Rug | |
|---|---|
 Design of Saveh Rug (Rugman) | |
| General information | |
| Name | Saveh Rug |
| Original name | قالی ساوه |
| Alternative name(s) | Saveh Carpet (Mosul Rug) |
| Origin |  Iran: Markazi |
| Category | Village |
| Technical information | |
| Common designs | Medallion, Geometric |
| Common colors | Red, Brown, Green |
| Dyeing method | Natural, Synthetic |
| Pile material | Wool |
| Foundation material | Cotton |
| Knot type | Symmetrical (Turkish) |
Saveh rigs originate from Saveh, located in northwestern Iran, just south of Tehran and is home to the Shahsavan tribe. Shahsavan literally means “For those who love the Shah” in Farsi and is a title bestowed upon warriors in the 17th century who were defending the northern border of Persia. The majority of Saveh rugs are small pieces and rug runner styles as a result of being woven by nomadic people that used looms that were compact, making them easy to dismantle and transport when relocation became necessary. The rug runner style weavings were primarily used as saddle bags and animal trappings in addition to providing warm floor coverings in their tents. Saveh rugs have textiles that frequently use the Soumak and Kilim weaves. Soumak is a flatweave also referred to as weft wrapping that will produce a rug runner with a herringbone effect that looks similar to embroidery work. Kilim is a flatweave construction in which the weft yarns form the flat looped face of the rug.
History
Materials
Foundation and Pile
Saveh rugs have a cotton foundation and a wool pile.[1]
Techniques and structures
Color and dyeing
Saveh field and border colorations are mostly reds, dark blue, browns, and ivory. In addition, different shades of blue, green, gray, and gold are used for the medallion, design elements, and outlines.[2]
Motifs and Designs
Weaving techniques
The Turkish (symmetric) knot is employed. Saveh formats range from small bags to rugs approximately seven feet by four feet six inches. Runners were also woven in variety of lengths. The weavings are made in grade qualities of good to very good.[3]
See also
References
Bibliography
Abraham Levi Moheban, (2015), The Encyclopedia of Antique Carpets: Twenty-Five Centuries of Weaving, NewYork: Princeton Architectural Press.