Frequently Asked Questions
- Original name: فرش بختیاری
Alternative name(s): Bakhtiar, Baktiar, Bachtiar, Bakhtiari rugs
- What is a Bakhtiari Rug?
The Bakhtiari rug is a primary art form of the Bakhtiari tribe, based in Chaharmahaal and Bakhtiari, Iran. The name “Bakhtiari” means “carpet weaver” in Farsi and is one of the oldest rug making families globally. Bakhtiari rugs have been transported all over the world since the early nineteenth century. They are considered by many to be the best rug makers in the world. Their artistry is unsurpassed, and their tribal rug designs are both sophisticated and earthy at the same time.
- Origin: Iran (Southwest)
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It lies in the southwestern part of the country. Its capital is Shahr-e Kord.
- Bakhtiari Rug Characteristics
Floral or garden-inspired patterns are common. Perhaps the most well-known rug design is the Khesti, which is based on an established garden motif. Animals and plants serve as symbols on the carpet, which are separated into individual squares. A decorated field with lattice motifs and floral embellishments is another popular design.
They are made of wool and are hand knotted for durability. Although it is not as fine and soft as the cork wool used in other Persian carpets, it has a distinct benefit in stress resistance.
- Common Designs: Semi-Geometric, Medallion
Bakhtiar carpets with garden-inspired themes can be seen in numerous areas. Designs featuring plants and animals from nature are featured in the so called Chesti pattern. They're based on traditional Persian gardens. From time to time, one can also discover Bakhtiari carpets with patterns that mimic those of the nearby Isfahan province.
This sort of carpet is commonly found in Iranian homes' entrance areas or corridors. It is not only a carpet that brings a touch of nature into your home, but it is also a highly durable carpet.
A checkerboard or garden pattern embellished with trees of life, birds, flowers, and animals, sometimes realistic, sometimes abstract, is typical on primitive Bakhtiari rugs. These are usually woven using a Turkish knot. However, the Persian knot is still used to create lovely flower patterns in Shahr Kurd's main town, with long, exaggerated medallions evocative of an earlier Isfahan form.
The carpets feature Keshti (garden pattern), Lattice, Shrub, Tree of Life, flower bouquet, cypress tree, willow tree, and other natural motifs in an allover or medallion design. The motifs are mostly semi geometric, but certain Bakhtiari artisans have created floral arrangements. Many of the Bakhtiari designs are influenced by the weaving areas around them, such as Farahan in the north, Josheghan in the east, and tribes like the Lori and Qashqai in the south.
- Common colours: Brown, Yellow, Green, Beige, Blue, Red
Colour schemes include many shades of brown, rust, yellow ochre, bottle green, beige, dark blue and red.
- Material: Wool, Cotton
They're usually woven with a cotton base and a wool pile, but a few unusual nineteenth-century antique rug examples have a wool base.
- The History Of Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rugs
The Bakhtiar nomads live in the Zagros Mountains, west of Isfahan, near the city of Shahr-e-Kurd. The majority of them speak Persian or a Lori dialect, but those in Khuzestan speak Arabic. Men in Bakhtiar wear wide slacks, a round cap, and a short tunic, dating back to the Parthian dynasty (200 B.C.- 200 A.C.). The Bakhtiar nomadic headmen (khans) have held positions of prominence in Persian society at various eras. Chahar Mahal Va Bakhtiari's vast carpet producing area accommodates nomads as well as villagers of multiple origins.
Traditional Persian rugs are not only warm, cosy, and durable; they also have a fascinating history. Many stories are told about how they were created, especially those that feature the legendary ‘Kunduz’ design. A rug with this type of pattern would be called a ‘Kunduz’ or sometimes a ‘Talee’, and it represents a beautiful example of how a master craftsman can use his skill and imagination to create a work of art. They began with geometrical patterns but were later exposed to the floral designs found in other Persian rugs. So, when you buy a genuine Persian rug, you are not just getting a carpet; you are getting a unique work of art.
Traditional Persian rugs are in great demand for their outstanding quality, and they represent a sustainable luxury. You will find hundreds of authentic traditional designs and patterns from which to choose.