 Mahabad
rugs originate from Mahabad, formerly called Savojbolagh Mokri, in the
province of Azerbaijan in northwestern Iran near Tabriz. Mahabad has
been an important Kurdish center since the 19th century and served as
the capital of a brief Kurdish Republic (consisting of the northern
part of Persian Kurdistan, with Kurdish as the official language) from
1945-46. Mahabad weavers produce mainly a Turkoman area rug. The
distinguishing feature of Mahabad rugs is the frequent use of an
all-over pattern of small Turkish designs on very soft and luxurious
pile. An area rug from Mahabad has a flat back and is woven with very
rounded symmetrical knots.
Tribal patterns, geometric designs, florals, or all-over patterns are
common on Mahabad rugs, although the Herati design is one of the most
popular. This old Mongol (Turkish) pattern is easily recognized by its
fish and turtle design. The background is often comprised of a flower
centered in a diamond with curving leaves located outside the diamond
and parallel to each side. Mahabad rugs are dominated by burgundy, red,
deep blue, and black contrasted by ivory, beige, coral, and green. They
are known by their deeply saturated colors and dense floral designs.
Unlike many other tribal rugs, Mahabad rugs have great color
consistency.
The warp on Mahabad rugs is mostly cotton, while the weft is very thick
and shiny goat wool woven in a tight pile. Although available in a wide
range of sizes, Mahabad rugs is most often mid-size (4’ x 6’ to 8’ x
10’). Their extremely sturdy construction and beautiful designs make
them ideal for use in any room in the house, including high traffic
areas or in homes with small children and pets. The rich colors on
Mahabad rugs will create a warm and inviting ambience in your home and
complement any style of décor.
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