With their high-density knotting and meticulous full-field designs, Senneh
carpets have long been attractive to Western markets. Frequent motifs are the
herati (a complex play of floral elements located at the points of a diamond
element) or the boteh (a shape vaguely similar to a teardrop with the point bent
at one side) in repeating rows.
Bidjar carpets are characterized by their rigid and rectilinear translations of
classical decorations from the Safavid dynasty, particularly the vase layout,
arabesques and floral vines. The lively colors of the decoration stand out
against the dark backgrounds.
Rugs of the Hamadan area are geometric and linear. The most common layouts use a
medallion or superimposed medallions. Often the medallions are rhomboidal or
hexagonal in shape with interiors decorated with geometric herati.
In the area of Malayer, rugs tend to the geometric in design. Floral motifs
often are used, either full field or alternating with rhomboidal medallions.
Typical colors are reds and blues.
Rugs from the area of Ferahan can be divided into two groups. Full-field
decoration with floral motifs characterize the first group, while the second
group uses a medallion layout that often is surrounded by jagged rays.
The rugs of Sarouk or Sarough are easily recognized by their linear versions of
traditional Persian floral decorations like vines, leaves and buds. In the 19th
century, this linear style slowly was transformed into more curvilinear,
naturalistic forms. The Sarouk area is known for its use of an intense
salmon-pink color called dughi.
Serabend rugs can be distinguished by their full-field layouts, composed
exclusively of regular rows of tiny boteh. The background is always red, and the
boteh usually are white, blue, black or yellow.
Persian rugs:
With an emphasis on design and line, Persian rugs distinguished by their
complex and calligraphic nature. Although Persian weavers have used geometric
style in the form of abstract or stylized figures, Persian design is most
recognized for its curvilinear style. The major geographic production centers
are Northwest Persia,
Western Persia,
Southwestern Persia,
Central Persia,
Southern Persia and
Eastern Persia.
