What Are Kurdish Rugs?
Kurdish rugs (or Kurdistan carpets) are a type of Persian rug woven by the Kurds who inhabit areas of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Kurdistan carpets are typically woven in the Kurdistan province of Iran.
In particular, those rugs woven in Sanandaj, the capital city of the Kurdistan province, are known as Senneh rugs. These rugs are very thin, with a fine weave and silky pile. Kilim rugs are also woven in this area.
Another popular rug woven in the Kurdistan province of Iran is the Bidjar. Bidjar carpets are well known as the Iron Rug of Persia. They have strong foundations and dense piles that hold strong against wear and traffic.
Aside from Bidjar and Senneh rugs there are many other types of rugs woven in the villages of Kurdistan.
Materials In Kurdish Rugs
Kurdish rugs typically have a wool foundation, but may also have cotton. They are woven with Turkish knots and wool piles, however goat or camel hair may be used in the pile as well. The wool used in antique and vintage pieces is silky and lustrous, often obtained from the weaver's family's sheep.
Kurdistan Rug Designs
Because Kurdistans are tribal rugs they come in a very wide variety of styles, many of which contain designs reminiscent of Caucasian rugs. There is really no single definitive design that one can say all Kurdistan rugs have, so it is important to understand the structure and style of the weave. Geometricized floral motifs including the Mina Khani, animal and human figures, medallions and other shapes can be found in Kurdistans.
These rugs are usually all wool, with strong, luminous color palettes. Blues, Reds, Brown, and more colors may be included in a Persian Kurdistan design. The structure is similar to the Hamedan weave.
Sizes of Kurdish Rugs
Antique Kurdistan rugs are typically found in smaller area rug sizes and are less likely to be found as larger, room-size carpets. This is because they were usually woven by nomadic weavers on horizontal looms. They are also found as bags.
Kurdish Rug Prices
Kurdish rugs vary in price, but relative to some other antique Persian rugs on the market some can be found at more affordable prices. The more intricate the design and more desirable the color palette the more expensive the piece will be.
Similar Rugs:
Senneh Rugs
Qashqai Rugs
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