The Farahan or Ferahan rug is a hand-woven Persian rug woven in the region known as Farahan, which is a collection of villages and farm towns in Central Iran that lies about 40 miles northeast of Arak. It is generally of two distinct design motifs. One is the free-flowing overall central field in the classic Herati style, often on a dark blue, or stone green ground, alive with small intricate floral designs. The other is a plain open field, most often of a rich madder or brick red or ivory that sets off a large central medallion. An identifiable characteristic of a Farahan is the use of a distinct apple green yarn for decorative elements in the outer border. An authentic Farahan rug should last a surprisingly long period of time because of its quality weave and rugged nature.
Kurdish carpets are woven throughout western Iran, in and around the rugged mountainous region of Kurdistan. The Kurds derive from the ancient nomadic peoples that roamed the area thousands of years ago. They live a semi-nomadic life, either in villages or in moving tribes away from the cities, where they can still carry out their old traditions and live as they did thousands of years ago. A few of the Kurdish tribes of the western regions include the Herki, Senjabi, Gurani, Jaffid, and Kalhors. A few major Kurdish rug-producing centers are Senneh, Bidjar, and the district of Khamseh. Some other Kurdish villages and districts that produce rugs are Borchelu, Goltogh, Khoi, Koliai, Lylyan, Mousel, Nanadj, Songhore, Touserkan, and Zagheh. As you can see, the Kurds are well established, and historic semi-nomadic and/or nomadic peoples of Iran who date back thousands of years. Many other major rug producing centers of Iran, such as Hamadan, Lorestan, or even Arak show obvious traces of Kurdish influence. Sometimes they incorporate the style and techniques of the Turkish people of Iran, who are also very widespread. The Kurds are a very peaceful and gentle group who prefer their simple nomadic lives to the complexities and frustrations of the modern technological world
Kurdish rugs, like all other Persian rugs are all 100% handmade. They are made of pure wool which is spun from the weaver's own sheep. In very rare cases you might find a carpet that has silk in the pile, and you will often see the foundation of Kurdish rugs being made of goat hair. The pile however, is always wool. The weaving quality in Kurdish rugs varies from loose to dense knotting and the Persian asymmetrical knot is used more than the Turkish symmetrical knot. The colors are attained mainly from natural vegetable dyes. The color schemes of most Kurdish rugs are bright and vibrant. Unlike most people in the western world who like faded and muted colors, the Kurds love bright lively colors. These exciting rugs bring life to these simple people's dull homes. All Kurdish rugs are rugged and long lasting as they have proved to be for thousands of years.
