Frequently Asked Questions
- Original name: قالی آباده
Alternative name(s): Abadeh Carpet
- What is an Abadeh Rug?
The Abadeh Rug is named after the village of Abadeh in Iran. It is well known for marquetry, creating light cotton summer shoes called Givehs, and stunning hand-woven wool rugs in Iran's tribal and nomadic region between Isfahan and Shiraz. Women from Qashqai use flat-woven style knots to create beautiful rugs that are very sturdy and neatly knotted. The Qashqai are a tribal federation of Arabs, Kurds, Lurs, and Turks from various ethnic backgrounds. Their designs show the influence of Turkoman and Caucasian styles.
- Origin: Iran (Fars)
The Abadeh Rugs are made in the Fars Province in southwestern Iran, in the town of Abadeh, which is located on the main road between Isfahan and Shiraz.
- Abadeh Rug Characteristics
Abadeh rugs are oriental rugs woven in the village on smaller looms, usually kept in the living room or main bedroom and might take months to a year to finish, depending on the size.
They are based on Persian rugs with natural themes and embellishments made by Ghashgai nomads who travelled through Abadeh.
The quality of Abadeh rugs ranges from medium to fine, with superb tribal piled wool. The carpets were produced with a double weft and are very durable. Mats to small room rugs are available in a variety of sizes and large amounts of square-format carpets were created for the European market. Because of their durability and nomadic motifs, Abadeh rugs were exported in large quantities to the western world.
- Common Designs: Tribal, Geometric, Vase
The patterns on these rugs are geometric and influenced by Shiraz tribal cultures. There are all over designs, single medallion patterns, and multiple medallion patterns in the field's centre. The medallions are often lozenge-shaped and encircled with stylised Hook motifs. In the field designs, small flower heads, leaves, vines, animals and birds are used.
The upward directional layout of a vase design on a Persian carpet is distinctive. Long stems emerge from exquisite vases in pairs, connecting at regular intervals to create a latticework effect.
- Common colours: Red, Ivory, Beige, Blue, Yellow
Abadeh rugs are predominantly red, but gold, blues, turquoise, camel and ivory appear. The borders are primarily reds or dark blues. For the flowers and design elements, tones of green, brown, cinnamon and grey were employed in addition to these colours. For design outlines, dark brown or black was used.
Abadeh carpets are often knotted in red and feature a rosette in the centre with blue tones.
- Material: Wool, Goats' Hair, Camels' Hair
These rugs generally have a wool pile, and the foundation is mainly made of wool but sometimes goats' and camel's hair. Some foundations are also made with cotton, silk and hemp.
- The History Of Antique Persian Abadeh Rugs
Turkish and Kurdish weaving influences and techniques are prominent. Rug weaving has a long history among nomadic tribes in the Abadeh region, which runs from Iran's substantial southern Fars province through sections of the province of Kerman. The famed Gabbeh is made in the south section of this vast province, including the Afshar and Qashqai areas.
These rugs were not initially created to be sold commercially. Instead, the people who wove them followed an ancient Iranian tradition that dates back over 3500 years.
However, by the late twentieth century, large amounts of square-format carpets were created for the European market. Because of their durability and nomadic motifs, Abadeh rugs were exported in large quantities.