Iranian (Persian) Rug Making Regions

Meshkabad, Meshkin, Mir (Saruq), Mishen (Malayer), Mobarakeh, Mohajeron (Saruq), Moosaabad, Moud (Birjand), Mousel, Nahavand, Nain -Todeshk, Najafabad

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:

Meshkabad

Rugs woven in an area east of Arak (Sultanabad) which typically produces looser-quality Saruq-type rugs.

Meshkin

Meshkin Shahr is located in northwestern Ardabil. They typically have geometric designs similar to Sarab rugs.

Mir (Saruq)

Mir is typically known as a repeated Boteh design. Also, it is identified with Saraband rugs, Mir-Saraband.

Mishen (Malayer)

Malayer is an important weaving center in the Hamadan province. It is a single-wefted rug and its designs are similar to Saruqs and Farahans. The older pieces are sought after by collectors. Some of the notable weaving centers around Malayer are: Hoseynabad and Nanaj in the north; and Tayemeh, Jozan and Mishen in the south. Weaving areas north of Malayer continue to weave in more traditional ways, while weaving areas south of Malayer employ more recent/city weaves and patterns.

Mobarakeh

Mobarakeh is a city located southwest of the city of Esfahan.

Mohajeran (Saruq)

Mohajeron is a city located south of Saruq in the Markazi province. The Mohajeron rugs have beautiful color combinations (both in shades and variety) which distinguishes them from Saruq rugs.

Moosaabad

Moosaabad is located southeast of Mashad in the Khorasan province. This is a Persian Baluchi rug made of cotton warp and weft.

Moud (Birjand)

A type of rug from the Khorasan region. Moud is an area located near Birjand in northeastern Iran.

Mousel

Mousel is a single-wefted rug woven in the western region of the Hamadan province. Some may have been woven in Kurdish areas – which explains the similarities in the weave. They typically have coarser weaves. Among the trade, any single-wefted (Hamadan region) rug which is not easily identifiable may be called a Mousel.

Nahavand

Nahavand is a small city in the Hamadan province. One of the identifying factors in some of their designs is how the border’s design cuts through the outside border and into the main, central design.

Nain -Todeshk

Nain is a small-town east of the city of Esfahan. Here, rug weaving began around World War II. They have learned weaving from their talented neighbors in Esfahan. Many fine rugs are woven with easily recognizable patterns which use ivory, light and dark blues, and reds.

Najafabad

Najafabad is a city located west of the city of Esfahan. Although generally narrower in the rug’s dimensions, they weave rugs similar to Esfahan and Kashan.

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.