Shiraz

Shiraz is the capital of Fars Province in southwestern Iran and is one of the important producers of Persian carpets. It is especially known as a distribution center for tribal rugs woven by nomadic peoples such as the Qashqai and Luli tribes who live in the surrounding area.

Fars Province is also the place where the country of Persia (present-day Iran) got its name.

Shiraz has flourished as a city of literature and art since ancient times, and is also famous as the birthplace of poets Hafez and Saadi. It is also close to Persepolis, the capital of ancient Persia, and as a center of culture and trade, a variety of handicrafts developed there.

Many nomadic peoples, such as the Qashqai and Luli, live around Shiraz, and the tradition of carpet weaving is deeply rooted in their self-sufficient lifestyle.

A representative handicraft is the "Gabbeh".

Origin and weaver

Many of the carpets made in Shiraz are hand-woven by the surrounding villages and nomads.

This region lies at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, and many nomadic people live a "transhumance" lifestyle, moving from place to place with the seasons. They hand-weave carpets for use inside their tents, placing emphasis on practicality.

The representative tribes are:

・Qashqai people

Luli tribe

・Khamseh Confederation (e.g. Basseri tribe)

- Bakhtiari, Afshar (neighboring tribes)

・Yarame tribe

Knot Density

Tribal rugs have a slightly coarser knot density than urban workshop carpets, typically around 90,000 to 180,000 knots per square meter.

This is a practical design for a mobile lifestyle: for nomads to use as their own, they are made of thick woolen thread and knotted tightly.

This makes it resistant to wear and tear and durable enough for everyday use.

Although the knot density is low, this does not mean that the quality is low; rather, its practicality-oriented construction makes it highly durable and able to withstand everyday use.

material

The material is mainly woven from locally produced high-quality wool. The wool from sheep raised in the Zagros Mountains is particularly rich in lanolin, giving the fabric a moist luster and high durability.

Plant dyes have been used since ancient times for dyeing. For example, dyes extracted from madder are used for red colors, indigo for blue colors, and pomegranate peel and turmeric for yellow. Wool dyed with natural dyes changes color to a more subdued shade over time, and also acquires a beautiful luster.

In recent years, the number of carpets using chemical dyes has increased, but traditional carpet making in Shiraz still tends to emphasize plant dyes.

Cultural values

Shiraz has been known as a center of literature and the arts since ancient times, and has been the birthplace of many cultural figures and craftsmen. Located on the southern Silk Road, it was also an important trading hub.

In 2010, the "Traditional Carpet Weaving Techniques of Fars" was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This is testament to the nomadic techniques and aesthetic sense that have been passed down for centuries and are now globally recognized.

Today, Shiraz carpets are loved by people all over the world as "usable art" that combines artistry and practicality.