Kelardasht rugs

Kelardasht rugs, produced in northern Iran, are created by nomadic people who have been practicing the art of rug weaving for thousands of years.
Kelardasht, located in northern Iran and surrounded by the Alborz Mountains, is a district in the Province of Zanjan which literally means "dear wife". It is here that the nomadic people in this region practice the art of traditional rug weaving. For over 3000 years traditional rug weaving has supplied them with warm floor coverings as well as a source of income. Women in the tribe have been the traditional rug weavers, passing along their knowledge and skills to their daughters. However, the men do join in as well and very often weaving is a family affair.
Living in remote regions far away from modern conveniences and technology, they are totally self-sufficient. They make their own looms for traditional rug weaving, which are placed horizontally on the ground and are easily dismantled for transport as they migrate from place to place. Although weavers in Kelardasht use both Persian and Turkish knots, they use the Persian asymmetrical knot much more frequently when weaving a traditional rug because it offers more precision.
The simple geometric tribal patterns on a Kelardasht traditional rug are basically two or more stepped hexagonal, square, or octagonal medallions. A frequently used design on a Kelardasht traditional rug is a hexagon surrounded by primitive lines and perhaps a scarab in the mid region of the field. The central part and the border may feature primitive figures. Dark red, dark blue, and brown are predominantly used on a Kelardasht traditional rug. The colors are created with natural vegetable dyes.
The foundation of a Kelardasht traditional rug may be either cotton or goat hair, while the pile is always thick and soft wool. The majority of these tribal rugs are small and mid-size, making them extremely versatile. Their bright, vibrant colors and simple designs will add drama to your décor while adding warmth and charm to your environment.