Hamadan hand woven tribal rugs are produced in one of the several hundred villages in the Hamadan region.
One of the oldest cities in the world, the ancient and historic Persian city of Hamadan is situated in the rugged mountain area of north-western Iran, 300 kilometers west of Teheran. Although rug production does occur in the city of Hamadan, hence Hamadan rugs, fundamentally the town serves as a focal point of trading for all the other villages. Some of the finest of the rugs are known and sold as Tuiserkan, Nahavand, Hosseinabad and Malayer with the other carpets being traded under the generic term Hamadan.
Producing a significant number of tribal rugs, the rugs from the Hamadan area are all handmade and are considered to last for extended periods of time largely due to the wool being spun from the more resilient sheep that populate the higher and therefore cooler altitudes. Silk is rarely seen in this region. Historically, before 1920, the carpets were tied on a wool warp, however, these days the carpets are all made on a cotton warp with one weft.
Modern-day rugs are colored with natural vegetable dyes with a myriad of colors from bold reds, yellows, rust, blue and green, to the more subdued colors of beige and salmon although generally the more contemporary Hamadans feature dark and strong colors. Soft brown colors from undyed camel hair can be found on older pieces from the region and today you will find carpets made after 1960 have a less fine wool and are frequently made with synthetic colors.
Many of the rug designs from the Hamadan area are strikingly geometric, also featuring floral, small animal and the well-known Herati designs. Hamadan rugs can also be found in a variety of sizes including very attractive area runners. Zaronim and Dozar measuring approximately 150x100cm and 200x120cm are the most common sizes.
Caroline Bosly author of “Rugs to Riches”, consider Hamadans to be a good investment for an antique rug and one that appears to increase in value with years. You can still find a beautiful Hamadan at an affordable price. If it is not so important to own an antique you can also buy Hamadans that were made after the 1930’s at even more affordable prices.
In addition to owning one of these beautiful works of art for yourself an easy online purchase with shipping can make a gift with a difference for that special person in your life.
Speak Your Mind