Hamadan Carpets

Hamadan or Hamedan situated in northwestern province of Iran is one of the major trading center of rugs and carpets. Hamadan carpets and rugs made in the neighboring villages and cities are sold here. The carpets are sold both under the brand name of the villages where they are manufactured or they are sold as Hamadan. High quality wool or cotton are used for weaving Hamadan carpets. The carpets and rugs are also influenced by Turkish traditions. These carpets are used both as floor carpets to sleep on and as a stair runners. Hamadan rugs and carpets are known in the world for their texture and durability. Many other countries like Turkey, China, India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are weaving these carpets by imitating the Hamadan style. Hamadan carpets are beautiful and are capable of harmonizing themselves with any types of home decor.

 

 

The Herati design of the Hamadan carpet has single floral head. The floral design is embedded in a diamond framework which is surrounded by outwardly curving leaves. The Hamadan rug has got excellent sheen . If the rug is viewed from different angles it seems that the rug is changing the color.

 

The margins consist of fixed decorative designs. The margin has three frames. There are two colored blades in the outer frame whereas the second frame is embellished by long bladed leaves.

 

Colors
Vivid colors are used to give the Hamadan carpets a finishing touch. Both bright and light colors are used but bright colors are preferred most. Colors are obtained from natural vegetable dyes. Background colors are generally hard. Colors used in background includes red, blue, dark brown and camel with ivory as a contrasting color. For creating motifs, outlines and borders, White, black, green, gold and ocher are used.

 

Weaving Style
Hamadan rugs and carpets come in variety of shapes and sizes. Generally on the cotton foundations, symmetrical (Turkish) knot is used. Pile is woolen. The wool is obtained from hardy sheep in the higher, cooler altitudes. Sometimes, camel hair is also mixed with wool. Weaving is done in compact style. Weave is long, because single weft is used. In Hamadan carpets, as few strands or weft is used there are more rows of knots, creating a more compact weave. It is quite easy to recognize Hamadan carpets. Typical Hamadan carpet consists of a fringe only on one end. The reason behind this is that, the weft threads are looped over the top bar and not tied off one by one. In urban carpets of Hamedan or Hamadan, there are around 27 to35 knots per6.5cm. Whereas in the rural Hamedan carpets there are at the most 25knots per 6.5cm.

 

Looms for Hamadan rugs and carpets
Two types of looms are usually used for producing these marvelous carpets. These looms are Tabrizian looms and fixed looms. In urban areas weavers use Tabrizian looms whereas in villages fixed looms are used.

 

Major Production Center/ Style
Major Production Center/ Style

 

Outside Persia
These carpets are also manufactured in the following countries:

 

Designs and Patterns
Hamadan rugs and Hamadan carpets are weaved with complex designs and patterns. Designs generally followed, represents the traditions of the region. As said earlier, these carpets are made in neighboring villages and cities hence they posses distinctive styles and patterns. However there are many characteristics that are similar to all the Hamadan carpets. For example, all the Hamadan carpets come in geometric patterns. The designs that are mostly followed in these carpets consist of medallion-and-corner, and all-over boteh or Herati. Most of the Hamadan rugs and carpets also posses diamond and hexagon medallions. Often the all-over Herati designs consists of an octagonal narrow field. Some of the village design rugs with floral designs and patterns. Some of the designs are curvilinear.