Glossory
Abrash:
This refers to the hue or color change found on many older rugs, particularly
those woven by nomad tribes. Abrash also is indication of traditional
materials and dyeing practices. The variations in color are usually
the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool, or through the introduction
of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet.
Asymmetric knots:
also known as Turkish knots: are generally used in northwestern,western,
southwestern and some portion of northeastern IRAN(quochan). The structure
of these rugs as you can see in the picture. Asymmetric knots may be
open to the left or right.
The Bakhtiari confederation:
of tribes is large and powerful, covering much of central and southwestern
Iran (Persia). Small rugs and trappings are woven by migratory Bakhtiari,
while large carpets of great magnificence are woven in the settled villages.
The most classic pattern is the garden design of repeated squares or
diamonds, each of which encloses a tree or blossom motif. Their name
translates roughly as "the lucky ones". A tribe located mostly
in western Iran which is known for weavings of rugs having compartments
filled with brightly colored garden motifs. Rugs can be either single
wefted on cotton foundation (village rugs) or double wefted on wool
foundation (nomadic rugs). Other designed rugs include those with a
large bold central medallion, or others with long vertical stripes filled
with small botehs
Burn Test
A small tuft of fibers from a rug may be burned to test for its content.
For example cotton has a vegetable smell when burned. Wool smells faintly
like hair. Silk smells distinctly like human hair when burned.(
Flatweave:
Flat weave is a technique of weaving that no knots are used to weave
a Textile. The warp strands are used as the foundation and the weft
stands are used as both part of the foundation and in creating the patterns.
The weft strands are simply passed (woven) through the warp strands.
Flatweave used for Kilims, soumakhs, Dhurrie and Jajim. Basically it's
a textile without a pile.
Ghereh:
means "Knot" in Farsi. It also name of Magaizine publishing
in ITALY. GHEREH is a "slim, not-overloaded with advertisements,
informed on current affairs, and open to outside collaboration whilst
avoiding academic severity" magazine based on Taher Sabahi Editor
& Publisher description. Ghreh magazine is publishing in English,
German, Italian.(
Ghiordes:
A town in western Turkey in which many small (usually 3x5ft) prayer
rugs were woven. Knot densities are between 100-200 per square inch.
Typical designs depict small geometric and pointed mihrab surrounded
by three or more borders.
Gul:
Meaning flower in Farsi. This term also refers to the octagonal or angular
repetitive medallions found on Turkoman rugs.
Haji Jalili
is well known master weaver all around the world especially among high-end
antique rug collectors. He made some of the finest rugs in 19th century
(1800-1890) in Tabriz. He was originally was from town of Marand (40
miles northwest of Tabriz).
HALI:
A modern Turkish word for carpet or rugs. HALI also is name of very
interesting magazine about rugs and carpets.(
Hereke
in western Turkey has been a center for fine weaving since the days
of the Ottoman Empire. The finest contemporary Turkish rugs are still
made in Hereke, as they were a century ago. Wool, silk, and metallic
threads are all used. Though Hereke is in Turkey they use the Persian
Senna knot in rugs made there.
Kelim(Kilim):
One of the Flatweave construction types in which the weft yarns form
the flat looped face of the rug.
KPSI
What is KPSI and how can I measure it?
You will need a tape measure. Look at the back of your rug. If it is
NOT flat-woven, count the number of knots in one inch and multiply it
by itself. Example: If you count 20 knots in one inch then your KPSI
is 400.
Kolyai or Koliai
The Kolyai or Koliai are one of the largest of the Kurdish tribes in
Iran. They live in the province of Hamadan. Kolyai is also the name
of a Kurdish village 50 miles west of Hamadan in northwest Iran.
Konya:
A famous Turkish city of rug production. It was a weaving center since
at least the Seljuk invasion in the eleventh century. From 1063 to 1309
it was the capital of the Seljuk Turks. Prayer rugs with red backgrounds
are popular as well as Yastiks and mats.
Ladik:
A famous Turkish carpet production center as early as the 18th century.
Ladik is most known for small prayer rugs with triple arch mihrab, stepped
mihrab, or two column mihrab. Main colors are red and blue and the foundation
is made of wool.
Mafrash
Marfash are very large bags which function for nomads as chests. During
their migrations, Mafrash are filled with kitchen weaver, wrapped in
bedclothes and the like, and carried in pairs, by camels. After settlement,
Mafrash used as back cushions. Mafrash also had function as decorative
peace in nomad life. Majority of tribe used Mafrash however the most
famous one are from SHASAVAN tribe.
Melas
rugs are usually finely woven. Melas is a small town on southwestern
Turkey. The Mihrab design is very common in Melas rugs.
Mordants:
Mordants are the metallic salts, generally of iron, tin, copper or
aluminum, used to attach certain natural dyes to the wool fibers.
NANAHAVAND
NANAHAVAND is an ancient and historical city. It is located 150 kilometers
south of HAMEDAN. NAHAVAND is a weaving center for single wefted rugs
on cotton foundation. Length of rug is usually twice its width. NAHAVAND
weavers usually using Turkish (Symmetrical) knots in their rugs and
runners.
Namakdan
Namakdan (Namak= Slat in Farsi & Dan= container) means a Salt Bag.
The nomads need salt not only for tier daily life but also for their
animals during their migration. Namdakdans (Slat- backs are designed
so only one hand can pass through it to get salt out of bag.
Panderma
Panderma is located northwestern Turkey. The majority of Panderma have
beige,coral and or light green coloration. Panderma are very similar
to Ghiordes.
Sofreh:
Term means "tablecloth". A small flatwoven rectangular cloth
which is laid on the ground and on which food can be served or prepared.
Soumak:
A flat-weave rug made from a technique that produces a herringbone effect.
This special weaving technique is also known as weft wrapping. Looks
similar to embroidery work
Ushak/Oshak:
A town of west central Turkey with a tradition of rug production which
began as early as the 15th century.
At the end of the 19th century, due to the demand for large room size
rugs in Europe and the United States, a production on a large scale
commercial basis began taking place there.
Rugs from the Ushak region have wool pile on wool foundation. Most Ushaks
have the medallion design or the all over pattern design with attractive
designs and good color combinations are very sought after for their
decorative purposes.
Yuruk(Yoruk):
The Turkish word for nomad. It is used to describe any nomad living
in Turkey. The correct spelling includes special characters (double
dots) over the U's
