Birjand Rugs

Birjand rugs, reputed to be the finest produced in eastern Iran, are famous for their unique style of weaving known as the "Mood Carpet".
Birjand, located in the southern part of the Province of Khorasan, has a history dating back more than 2000 years. Its population of nearly 120,000 people own approximately 18,000 carpet looms weaving magnificent area rugs reputed to be the finest produced in eastern Iran.
The knot style used on Birjand area rugs is the Persian asymmetrical knot, due in large part to the fact that area rugs woven with this knot tend to be more accurate and symmetrical.
Birjand's area rugs are famous and known internationally as "Mood Carpet". Mood is the name of a region in Birjand and the rug weaving style is unique to that region.
Birjand area rugs share many characteristics with those from Qom. The major difference is that the borders of Birjand area rugs are dense with detail. The weavers in this region consider the margin as important as the central design, thinking of it as you would a frame on a work of art. The most popular design on Birjand area rugs is the Reiz Mahi design – small fish.
The pattern is comprised of figures like small fish mixed with plants and flowers and may or may not include the Lachak and Toranj (resembling a radiant sun in the center). The dramatic colors featured on these area rugs are cream, red, dark blue and turquoise. One of the most traditional designs found on Birjand area rugs is the Rabbi Saadi design - plants and flowers filled with spiral lines called eslimi in various shades of red.
The warp on Birjand area rugs is mostly cotton, while the weft is mostly wool.
Cotton thread used in Birjand area rugs is called rass and the wool thread called as khame.
Silk may be used in some parts of the area rugs to emphasize the design.
Birjand area rugs are available in many different sizes, but the majority of them are large.
These extraordinarily fine area rugs are one-of-a-kind works of art and destined to become heirlooms.