What are Isfahan Rugs?

A beautiful hand knotted wool and silk rug from Isfahan, Iran. 

Isfahan is one of the most beautiful Persian cities.The wool yarn used in the pile is soft and lustrous, and given strength by the fibres being tightly packed together by such close weaving. This brings many benefits. A tightly woven rug enables the weaver to produce a much sharper and more clearly defined pattern. They often weave silk highlights into their designs that catch the light and sparkle as you walk across the carpet.

It was not until the 1920's that large-scale workshop production of carpets was reintroduced. Weavers were brought in from Kashan and elements of the designs of Kashan are evident. Soon Isfahan together with it neighbouring city of Nain was again producing some of the best weaving in the world.  Rugs and carpets were woven on to cotton or silk foundations, with a close weave achieved by using the Persian knot. The wool yarn used in the pile is soft and lustrous, and given strength by the fibres being tightly packed together by such close weaving. This brings many benefits. A tightly woven rug enables the weaver to produce a much sharper and more clearly defined pattern. They often weave silk highlights into their designs that catch the light and sparkle as you walk across the carpet. The fragile silk yarn is supported and protected by the wool.  The tighter the weave the more vertical the fibres stand. As a result it is only the tip of the fibre that is walked on and this prolongs the life expectancy of the carpet. Marks and stains are held in the top surface of the carpet and if they cannot be cleaned off, they with eventually wear away.  As a very fine carpet grows old the colour begin to fade and mellow. With wear the wool will achieve a lustrous patina