Six of the most famous tribes of Iranian carpet weavers, renowned and recognized worldwide for their valuable woven carpets, are as follows:
Afshar Tribal Rugs
They are a group of Turkmen who, in the past years, resided in the Caucasus region and around Lake Urmia City. After a while, by the order of Safavid and Nader Shah (the Afshar) migrated to the vicinity of Kerman city. The Afshar carpets were woven differently depending on the region. In the Shahrbabak area, the carpets were incorporated in a single-weft structure, while in the Sirjan region, double-knots techniques were used. The distinction between the carpets woven in Shahrbabak and Sirjan lies in the designs; Shahrbabak carpets tend to have intricate and busy patterns, whereas Sirjan carpets feature more secluded designs.
Bakhtiari Tribal Carpets
The Bakhtiari tribe originates from the Kurdish regions and resides in an area stretching from Isfahan to the southern parts of Malayer. Their carpet designs predominantly feature a pattern of squares, commonly called the “Kheshti” pattern design. Within these squares, motifs of flowers, branches, birds, and animals are intricately woven. The Bakhtiari carpets incorporate a vibrant color palette, including bright red, brown, green, yellow, ivory, and white shades. However, alongside the well-known brick pattern, Bakhtiari carpets also encompass other designs such as “lachak” and “toranj” (the medallion corner design), as well as the distinct “Lori Bakhtiari” pattern.
Baloch (Baluch) Tribal Carpets
Among the most authentic tribes of Iran, they have endeavoured to preserve ancient customs and traditions in their way of life up to the present day. The genuine carpets of Iranian Baloch tribes blend elements from Afghan carpet designs and Iranian Turkmen designs. However, at times, a distinct touch of creativity is also incorporated. Patterns such as the Tree of Life and Camel Footprints are commonly featured in their designs. These carpets are predominantly woven using black wool and Persian knots. They are mostly flat-woven carpets. The colours used in these carpets are primarily shades of red, blue, chocolate brown, Ivory, and orange. Additionally, these carpets often come in elongated and narrow sizes.
Luri Nomadic Tribes’ Carpets
Luri tribes are scattered across various regions of Iran. The geometric patterns, animals, and ancient symbols related to the art and imagery of the Achaemenid era can be found in Luri tribal weavings. The knots are predominantly symmetrical and resemble the “LUL-BAF” knot.
Due to the simplicity of the designs in Luri carpets, they have gained popularity among enthusiasts of minimalist décor, especially in European settings.
Turkmen Tribal Rugs
These rugs feature unique geometric patterns and are among the most popular rugs globally. The predominant colors for Turkmen rugs are deep red and rich brown, often used for the background. Occasionally, green hues can also be observed.
Tribal Qashqai Carpets
The Qashqai tribe, located in the southwestern province of Fars in Iran, has been united since the 16th century. The language spoken by this tribe is Turkish. They possess skilled weavers who diligently work, playing a significant role in livestock farming.
The prominent feature of Qashqai carpets is their unique patterns, specific to the region. These patterns adhere to traditional designs from ancient times, crafted with a mindful weaving technique. The primary fiber used in this area is high-quality wool. Natural dyes extracted from plants such as madder, indigo, onion, and others are utilized for coloring by the tribes of this region.
In the art of Qashqai carpet weaving, the primary colors are bright red, like ruby red, deep blue, white, cream, and brown. Authentic Qashqai carpets are typically woven using symmetrical Turkish knots, occasionally incorporating asymmetric Persian knots. The entire world and the daily life of the Qashqai tribe can be observed within the patterns of these carpets, depicting animals, plants, trees, and flowers. Some patterns even feature ancient designs reminiscent of the Persepolis ruins, with motifs derived from the walls and columns of that historical site dating back to the Achaemenid era
