Gabbeh Rugs and Carpets - A Brief Overview on History

These beautiful Gabbeh rugs and carpets are hand woven in southern Iran, particularly in the province of Kerman.  Within small villages and nomad settlements, the early generation of weavers were provided with dyed woolen yarn and cotton.  With these two basic materials and no pattern, the nomads and villagers had to become creative and look around them to create a pattern.  This way of producing oriental rugs and runners gave them very basic, geometrical patterns; each of the Gabbeh carpets created completely unique and un-reproducible.

 When the production of these Persian rugs and carpets started to become popular, the makers became organized.  This started with ordering specific colors, tones and shades; enabling these hand knotted Gabbeh carpets to have more creative patterns.  Handmade rugs and runners from the Gabbeh region show an influence of Kurdish and Turkish techniques and influences.  This is mostly seen in the Turkish knot, weaving up to a hundred knots per square inch these floor coverings are strong and durable.

 Mainly using geometrical designs with bold strips and abstract patterns, they are increasing in demand.  The make of these hand knotted cotton Gabbeh Persian rugs suit the interior of many modern homes, increasing the need for these beautiful handmade pieces.  Created mainly in larger sizes, the thickly piled carpets occasionally feature silhouettes of animals or humans in geometric shapes.  

Abrash is when gray fibers occur occasionally within the lively, bright colors used.  This doesn’t alter the overall appearance of the Gabbeh rug although ensures that no two carpets and runners are completely the same.