Kerman Carpets

Kirman rugs or Kerman carpets are splendid creation of the Kirman weavers. The carpets derive their name from the place of their origin that is Kirman located in the South East Persia. Since many centuries, Kirman have been the main cultural and the trade center. Carpets of Kirman are particularly exported to the North American and the European market. The style, the pattern and the minute details on the carpets make them priceless. Many places of Iran and the countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are imitating the styles of these carpets. Kerman carpets are available in different sizes but they are manufactured predominantly in mid size. The carpets are durable and retain their appearance for longer period of time.

Patterns and Designs
Kerman carpets utilize many intricate patterns and design to embellish themselves. The carpets have the influence of Kurds and Lori tribes who live in this western section of Iran. They are so tightly woven that they remind of Persian miniature paintings. The patterns followed generally are curvilinear. However in pictorial patterns curvilinear style is not followed. Minute motifs all over the carpets make them unique. Natural designs like plants, flowers and vegetation are predominantly represented on the Kerman carpets. This can be attributed to the natural conditions of Kerman. Border contains the motif that is also used in the corners and in the border.

Enlarge View

View more carpets in our picture gallery

In western market designs that are popular are either Aubussons or Koran (Quran) medallion-and-corners with an open field. The open field makes this carpet distinctive and unique. Traditional Kerman carpets contain designs like:

Shah Abbasi medallion-and-corner
Floral all-over
Striped designs
All-over boteh
Animal and Human figure in hunting scenes
Panelled garden
Tree-of-life, garden, vase hunting, animal,
Other detailed pictorials based on both Persian and European themes.

Colors and Dyeing
Kerman Carpets

Kerman carpets use different shades of colors to give an attractive look. The myriad colors used on the carpets are one of the main reasons for the fame of these carpets . Colors are both durable and herbal. On an average, nearly 15 colors are used. Some of the expensive and rich carpetss make use of as many as 30 colors. The colors used are well balanced and compliment each others.

Green, red, beige, orange, ocher, blue both dark and light, pink, ivory, gray blue, ivory are few of the many colors used in Kirman carpets. In antique and semi antique carpets, rich red and red-blue colors are predominantly used. Modern contemporary Kerman carpets use pastel colors like lime green, pink, ivory turquoise, orange, champagne and beige.

Initially only natural colors were used but after the second world war, some of ink colors stepped into the dyeing workshops. The herbal colors used predominantly are indigo, cochineal, pomegranate skin, walnut skin, henna, and grape leaves. A like other parts of Iran, in Kerman either, alum is the only fixing material which is usually used in dyeing.

Weaving Style
Kerman carpets use asymmetrical Persian knots. The knots vary from carpet to carpet. Kerman carpets can have one of the following qualities of knots- 190, 250, 320 and 400 knots per square inches. carpetss have three weft in which firs and the third weft is thicker than the second weft which is slightly thinner. Cotton and wool are the minimum raw materials for making the Kerman carpets. Piles are woolen whereas for warps and wefts cotton is used. Wool for the pile is procured either locally or imported from the regions like Khorasan and Kermanshah.

Looms

For producing carpets, different types of techniques and looms are used. Looms used in different areas are different. For example in Kerman vertical looms are used whereas in Ashayeri areas of this province, horizontal looms are used.

About Kerman
Kerman is located in the central south of Iran. It is one of the oldest cities of the world. Kerman derived its name from the Germaniol race listed by Herodotus. The construction of Kerman is attributed to Ardashir I of Sassanid Dynasty in 3rd century BC.

The city saw the rule of various dynasties. In and after 7th century AD the city was ruled by Turkmans, Arabs and Mongols. Carpets were exported to England and Germany during this period. Kerman is one of the major carpet producing center of Iran where many small workshops scattered through the city. Masjed-e Jame (Jame Mosque) and Baghe Shazdeh are the major architecture of the region.

Kerman Carpets