 | bakhtiari Rugs
Bakhtiari people are a noble, ancient tribe surviving in the Chahar Mahal region of south-central Iran. Primitive Bakhtiari rugs frequently have a checkerboard or garden pattern decorated with trees-of-life, birds, flowers and animals, sometimes realistic, sometimes abstract. Generally these are woven with a Turkish knot. But some very beautiful floral patterns are still produced in the principal town of Shahr Kurd with the Persian knot, showing long, exaggerated medallions reminiscent of an earlier Isfahan style. Color schemes include many shades of brown, rust, yellow ochre, bottle green, beige, dark blue and red.
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History & Construction of Rugs
The 18th century saw elaborate homes being built by the Khans in the Chahar Mahal valley. The decorative gardens within became a symbol of status and pride, and thus, became a focal point for weavers. In the late 19th century, oil was found on their land, making the Khans very wealthy. This allowed them to provide the best of materials to the weavers of a superior rug industry they had already established. This tradition of quality still remains and is visible in the generous proportions and beautiful esthetics. These tribal rugs are true to the knotting, designs and materials from the earliest of weaves. The quality pieces are woven from the wool of their own sheep, and colored using vegetable dyes from local flora, as it was done centuries ago.
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