 Kelardasht
rugs originate from Kelardasht, located in northern Iran and surrounded
by the Alborz Mountains, a district in the Province of Zanjan which
literally means “dear wife”. It is here that the nomadic people in this
region practice the art of traditional rug weaving. For over 3000 years
traditional rug weaving has supplied them with warm floor coverings as
well as a source of income. Women in the tribe have been the
traditional rug weavers, passing along their knowledge and skills to
their daughters. However, the men do join in as well and very often
weaving is a family affair. Living in remote regions far away from
modern conveniences and technology, they are totally self-sufficient.
They make their own looms for traditional rug weaving, which are placed
horizontally on the ground and are easily dismantled for transport as
they migrate from place to place. Although weavers in Kelardasht use
both Persian and Turkish knots, they use the Persian asymmetrical knot
much more frequently when weaving a traditional rug because it offers
more precision.
The
simple geometric tribal patterns on Kelardasht rugs are basically two
or more stepped hexagonal, square, or octagonal medallions. A
frequently used design on Kelardasht rugs is a hexagon surrounded by
primitive lines and perhaps a scarab in the mid region of the field.
The central part and the border may feature primitive figures. Dark
red, dark blue, and brown are predominantly used on a Kelardasht rugs.
The colors are created with natural vegetable dyes.
The foundation of Kelardasht rugs may be either cotton or goat hair,
while the pile is always thick and soft wool. The majority of these
tribal rugs are small and mid-size, making them extremely versatile.
Their bright, vibrant colors and simple designs will add drama to your
décor while adding warmth and charm to your environment.
|