What is a Kirman Rug?
Kirman (Kerman) rugs are a type of Persian rug made in Iran. Like most Persian rugs, Kermans are named after their place of origin; Kerman which is a both a city and a province in Iran. Kerman has been a major producer of high quality carpets since at least the 15th century. In the 13th century these carpets were recognized by Marco Polo for their quality and the skill weavers needed to make them. Kermans are woven with high quality, silky wool known as Carmania.
Ravar Kermans
Ravar, or Lavar Kermans are a specific type of rug produced in the Ravar village next to Kerman city. They are known for their very fine weave and elegant, classical design of all-over and central medallion patterns. They are rarer than the typical Kirman carpet.
Designs in Kerman Rugs
They are typically woven with wool pile on a cotton foundation. Kirmans come in all different sizes including palace sizes up to 15-30 feet long. Curvilinear, floral schemes are the most common designs found in Kermans. They may also have garden, tree-of-life, vase, and one of the most popular, pictorial. Elaborate pictorial designs in Kermans are derived from Persian and European themes.
Colors In Kerman Carpets
The dyers of Kerman are known for their skill in wool-dyeing, especially in achieving light color palettes. Antique Kermans featured bright, plentiful colors. Color schemes included red-blue, rich, deep red, orange and turquoise. Magenta, blue and golden saffron were among the most popular highlight colors. After the 1920's the designs and colors became simpler to cater to the tastes of the Western market. Colors became lighter, with more pastel-like color schemes including champagne, lime-green, gray-blue, pink and beige.
Browse more examples of Kerman rugs on our Pinterest Board!