 Bakhtiari rugs are named for the Bakhtiari tribe, one of the most ancient and well known of the Persian tribes. The Bakhtiari remained nomadic until the beginning of the 19th century when they settled in the Zagros region of the Chahar-Mahal area, known for its excellent and luxurious wool. The majority of traditional rugs are now woven in Shahr-Kurd, the center of the Bakhtiari weaving area located just southeast of Isfahan. The Bakhtiari people call their best traditional rugs Bibibaff which literally means that they were knotted by old women, or grandmother's weave. Bibi means woman and baff means to knot. The most experienced weaver in the family produced the finest work. The Turkish knot is the one used here ranging from very coarse to medium fine. The Bakhtiari weavers of traditional rugs are known for their artistry and their excellent skills.
Bakhtiari rugs are famous for their garden carpet Kheshti design - flower and tendril motifs filled within geometrical compartments. A Bakhtiari design featuring a decorated field with lattice designs and floral ornaments figures prominently on Bakhtiari rugs as well. Natural dyes in many shades of white and ivory are predominantly used, in addition to red, brown, green, and yellow. However, blue is rarely used on Bakhtiari rugs.
The warp and weft on Bakhtiari rugs are made of cotton and the pile is wool. Good quality wool and a strong base weave cotton gives the traditional rugs weight, enabling them to lie flat on the floor. Available in a variety of sizes, these gorgeous traditional rugs are produced by many tribes, both village and nomadic in the region. There are nearly 200 villages in this area today producing beautiful Bakhtiari rugs. The durable nature and rustic, nomadic appearance of these rugs make them very desirable to own and enjoy.
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