Kermanshah, KhalKhal, Khoy, Kolyaei, Kurdish, Lilian, Lori

Oriental rugs are often known by the regions they were woven in. Collectors of Persian rugs often research each region thoroughly to understand not only the rug weaving techniques but also the designs and traditions employed in each region. These traditions often date back hundreds of years and are woven into the culture of each region. This richness impresses even more beauty on the Persian rugs that are available for sale around the world. Learn below about the different regions and click on the photos above to see samples of the different patterns.

Iranian (Persian) rug making region(s) included on this page:

Kermanshah

Some nice rugs using the Kerman-type design and weave have been labeled as Kermanshah – which is misleading. Rugs made in Kermanshah were Kurdish, they use wool warp and are coarsely woven and have not been as popular and prolific.

KhalKhal

KhalKhal is located south of the city of Ardabil. Today in Iran, fine silk pieces are being woven in city of KhalKhal.

Khoy

Khoy is located in the Azarbaijan province. Although the weave is similar to Tabriz, some designs are non-geometric interpretations of the Heris design.

Kolyaei

A Kurdish tribe (semi-nomadic) located in the Kermanshah province, west of the city of Hamadan . These rugs are traded in the city of Sonqor.

Kurdish

The Kurds are an ethnic group who live north to southwest of Iran that borders eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, and the southern part of the Caucasus. Many have settled and some are still nomadic. There are a variety of rugs which are mostly wool warp and have been influenced by the regions they live in.

Lilian

Lilians are woven in southern Arak. The designs are similar to some Saruqs. It also has a soft feel and sheen.

Lori

Lori is a tribe which has settled in a radius in the south of Iran including Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Ilam, western Fars, and parts of the Hamadan and Khuzestan provinces. Rugs from this area may be woven using a Turkish or Persian knot.

If you are curious to learn more, my eBook The Art of Oriental Rugs - A Weaver's Perspective shows you: 1) how to identify a weave** and how different techniques produce “recognizable” variations in different regions, 2) maps with geographical views of where rugs are woven in the country of Iran and how the regional weaves influence each other, and 3) 750+ close-up pictures of weaves from 170+ rug-weaving regions in Iran and around the globe. I’ve written a book I wish I had when I first started in the rug business. This, I humbly hope, will be seen as an indispensable addition to any library.