Gabbeh carpets have gained rapid popularity in the West since the beginning of the 1980s.
Buying an authentic Persian carpet, however, means you have to know what you do.
We will try to address some frequently asked questions below.
Where are Gabbeh carpets made? They originate in the Zagros mountains of Persia (nowadays called Iran).
They are manufactured by Qashqai, Luri and Kurdish tribes.
Traditionally the weavers used to be women only, but nowadays you will also find many male weavers.
There are counterfeits on the market made from either cotton or cheap wool.
These mostly originate in India and Pakistan.
What does the word Gabbeh mean? The word comes from the Persian word for something that is natural, uncut, raw.
These are rugs made by working people for everyday use and abuse.
They are therefore not sophisticated, but rather made to withstand rough conditions.
This is exactly where the appeal of these carpets lie for most people.
How will I know a genuine Gabbeh carpet from a fake one? If the fake is made from Cotton, the fringes will be white in color.
If it's made from wool, the carpet will not be as soft as the genuine article.
The wool used in Persia is of a high quality and it's very soft.
How do Gabbeh rugs differ from other types of Persian carpets? Their texture is coarser than the average Persian rug.
They are also thicker - sometimes they are as much as an inch in depth.
This is due to the thick knots that are used in the weaving process.
These rugs are extremely durable and with the correct care they will last a lifetime and longer.
What type of colors and designs are available? Gabbeh carpets usually display bright colors, such as red and yellow.
Patterns are often geometrical in shape and a single rug can contain large areas of one color, although colors will vary throughout the rug.
Since the weavers are mostly women, you will notice scenes depicting everyday village life, animals and folklore.
What is a genuine Gabbeh carpet made of? The genuine product will always be made of hand spun wool of a fine quality.
These are very soft to the touch, yet at the same time they are rugged.
Only natural plant dyes are used in the dyeing process.
Gabbeh carpets are not only works of art, they are an investment that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.
Buying an authentic Persian carpet, however, means you have to know what you do.
We will try to address some frequently asked questions below.
Where are Gabbeh carpets made? They originate in the Zagros mountains of Persia (nowadays called Iran).
They are manufactured by Qashqai, Luri and Kurdish tribes.
Traditionally the weavers used to be women only, but nowadays you will also find many male weavers.
There are counterfeits on the market made from either cotton or cheap wool.
These mostly originate in India and Pakistan.
What does the word Gabbeh mean? The word comes from the Persian word for something that is natural, uncut, raw.
These are rugs made by working people for everyday use and abuse.
They are therefore not sophisticated, but rather made to withstand rough conditions.
This is exactly where the appeal of these carpets lie for most people.
How will I know a genuine Gabbeh carpet from a fake one? If the fake is made from Cotton, the fringes will be white in color.
If it's made from wool, the carpet will not be as soft as the genuine article.
The wool used in Persia is of a high quality and it's very soft.
How do Gabbeh rugs differ from other types of Persian carpets? Their texture is coarser than the average Persian rug.
They are also thicker - sometimes they are as much as an inch in depth.
This is due to the thick knots that are used in the weaving process.
These rugs are extremely durable and with the correct care they will last a lifetime and longer.
What type of colors and designs are available? Gabbeh carpets usually display bright colors, such as red and yellow.
Patterns are often geometrical in shape and a single rug can contain large areas of one color, although colors will vary throughout the rug.
Since the weavers are mostly women, you will notice scenes depicting everyday village life, animals and folklore.
What is a genuine Gabbeh carpet made of? The genuine product will always be made of hand spun wool of a fine quality.
These are very soft to the touch, yet at the same time they are rugged.
Only natural plant dyes are used in the dyeing process.
Gabbeh carpets are not only works of art, they are an investment that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.