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Tribal


Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the world and a form of artistic expression it is nowhere better demonstrated than in the diversity and individualism of tribal weavings.

Here we are showing a small selection of Tribal rugs...

Luri

The Luri are one of Iran’s most distinguished nomadic tribes, inhabiting the area we know today as Luristan, in western Iran.

These bold designs reflect the local landscape, are woven with thick and very soft wool in an array of striking colours and designs.

Gabbeh

The simplicity and spontaneity of Gabbeh designs is exciting with every piece different.

Traditionally Gabbehs were coarsely-piled woollen rugs for everyday use on the floors of tribal tents.

The new Gabbehs can be totally plain with attractive abrash throughout, or showing images of anything that takes the weavers fancy, including human figures, plants and animals.

Shiraz

These beautiful tribal rugs are woven by the Qashqa’i tribe which inhabit an area to the south and west of the Zagross Mountains, in Fars province in southern Iran.

A small number of Qashqa’i Tribes people still have a nomadic lifestyle, migrating each year from the low plains to the high mountain pastures for the summer. On route some of these rugs are traded in the city of Shiraz (hence the name) to enable them to purchase their valuable supplies for these migrations.

The rugs are woven with a coarse but very good local wool, for both the pile and the foundation. They are very attractive rugs often featuring a central medallion with stylised animals and birds in the main ground.

Baluch

These distinctive tribal rugs are woven by the Baluch Tribe which inhabit an area of north-east Iran, mainly in the province of Khorassan, and are sold in the beautiful city of Mashad.

There are also some Baluch rugs that originate in the border areas of Afghanistan and are marketed in the principal city of Heart.

Baluch rugs are generally small in size, some being finely woven and often designed as prayer rugs with squared-off arch designs. The colour palette of these rugs can be somewhat sombre, dark blues and browns predominating, although reds and white are used as well. They are often finished with black goat hair to the selvedge.