Hamadan Persian Rugs - Rug Guide

The term 'Hamadan' broadly encompasses a variety of rugs meticulously knotted in the region around the city bearing the same name in western Iran. Known to be one of the oldest cities in the world, Hamadan serves as a central hub for trading carpets that are crafted in numerous surrounding villages and towns. Each rug from this region, varying from Tuyserkan to Nahavand, to Borchalou, Malayer, or Hosseinabad, tells its own unique story through pattern, quality, and knotting density.

Hamadan rugs range from fine to simpler qualities, with their designs predominantly featuring geometric patterns, although floral motifs can also be found. The rugs are primarily characterised by classic colours such as blue, derived traditionally from the indigo plant, and red, obtained from the dyer-crab commonly found in Iran.

Previously, all Hamadan rugs were crafted using handspun yarn, a practice that has shifted in recent times to include industrially produced yarn for more economical carpet variants. This has resulted in the usage of less vibrant colours in the dyeing process.

Hamadan rugs, particularly the older ones, are highly respected for their quality. These were knotted on a cotton warp and were termed 'Shahr-baff', combining the words 'city' and 'knots'. While these rugs are rare to find today, Hamadan rugs in general are valued for their robustness, making them ideal everyday carpets.