Persian Rug Tabriz 350×250 cm Wool Silk Hand-knotted

Täbris Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug from Täbris is hand-knotted and made from high-quality wool and silk. The two fibres contribute different textile qualities. Wool gives the pile a distinct, tactile surface, while silk reflects light and can create the characteristic sheen associated with Täbris rugs. Combining wool and silk is an established possibility within the traditional weaving practice of Täbris.

The term 50-Raj identifies a fine quality grade used for Täbris rugs. This rug is described as having a knot density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre. Raj is a technical classification that describes the fineness of the knotting. A higher Raj number indicates a finer knot density. In hand-knotting, each knot is inserted individually into the foundation. This method allows small contours and differentiated design elements to be worked into the textile with precision.

Silk may be used in different parts of a Täbris rug. Its shimmer is often visible in the field, while some examples have a warp made entirely from silk. For this rug, wool and silk are named as the materials, but the precise position of the silk within the construction is not stated. Its documented workmanship can therefore be described directly: it is hand-knotted, graded as 50-Raj and made from high-quality wool and silk.

Origin and Tradition

Täbris is situated in north-western Persia and is the capital of East Azerbaijan. The city has a long-standing carpet-weaving tradition and is one of the important centres of Persian rug production. A Täbris rug therefore refers both to a geographical origin and to a developed regional craft tradition. Knowledge of knotting methods, material selection and pattern construction has been passed on through generations of weavers in the area.

Täbris rugs are produced in a range of quality grades. The Raj classification provides a technical indication of the fineness of the knotting. The source text associates a 40-Raj Täbris rug with approximately 400,000 knots per square metre, while a 50-Raj rug can reach up to 500,000 knots per square metre. Raj therefore describes density and technical fineness. It is not the name of a particular motif and does not, by itself, determine the design of an individual rug.

The Täbris tradition combines careful workmanship with a broad design vocabulary. Floral compositions, geometric forms and complex arrangements all belong to the regional range. Fine knotting supports the precise rendering of lines, outlines and smaller details. Silk adds another technical and visual possibility through its smooth surface and reflective quality. Depending on the construction, it may appear in the field or form part of the warp. The material and the knotting method are thus closely connected with the appearance of the finished rug.

Persian carpet culture includes many other regional centres alongside Täbris. Kerman rugs are known for floral motifs and fine workmanship. Isfahan rugs are often associated with opulent designs and lively colours. Rugs from Hamadan are valued for robust materials and traditional knotting methods. Nain and Kashan are also known for refined craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials. These traditions demonstrate the variety of Persian rugs, but they do not change this piece’s origin: it is a Täbris Persian rug from East Azerbaijan.

The history of Täbris weaving is also part of a wider exchange of ideas within Persian carpet art. Floral arrangements, borders and methods of organising a field have been developed in different regional contexts and adapted to various materials and quality grades. The underlying craft remains the controlled insertion of knots into a planned structure. The name Täbris consequently combines place, technical classification and a regional approach to design.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this rug is described as traditional Persian design. This places it within the broader Persian design tradition without assigning a specific historical motif that has not been named. Täbris rugs may use complex floral designs as well as geometric forms. Their compositions can be highly varied and carefully structured. A field may be organised with one or more borders where such elements belong to the individual design, but no particular arrangement is specified for this rug.

Floral motifs are an important form within Persian carpet art. Blossoms, leaves, branches and interlaced plant forms may be arranged in ordered repeats or in more freely flowing compositions. Geometric designs depend more strongly on lines, angles, repetition and clearly defined areas. Täbris accommodates both approaches. The place name therefore indicates a regional design language rather than one fixed pattern. The precise description of this rug remains traditional Persian design, without an unsupported claim about a particular floral or geometric scheme.

The fine knotting of a 50-Raj piece generally makes it possible to render smaller shapes and more differentiated outlines. For this rug, a density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre is given. This technical information can be related to the detail-oriented character associated with Täbris weaving, while no individual motif is added. Silk introduces a further visual effect through its sheen. Depending on how it is used, that sheen may be visible in the field or in another part of the construction; its exact placement is not stated.

Traditional Persian design is shaped by the relationship between pattern, colour, material and technique. A design is not independent of the textile that carries it: knots, outlines, colour areas and fibres all affect the way a composition is seen. Wool creates a textile surface with its own character, while silk catches and reflects light differently. Material selection therefore also has a visual function. For this rug, the supported statement is a traditional Persian design made in the Täbris tradition from wool and silk.

The range of Täbris designs explains why rugs from this origin can take many different visual forms. They may emphasise floral order, geometric clarity or a relationship between both principles. Regional identity depends not only on isolated ornaments, but also on the way a design is constructed through knotting and combined with the properties of wool and silk. The pattern of this piece is therefore kept to the documented description of traditional Persian design.

Special Features

The stated special features are the hand-knotted construction, the 50-Raj classification and the combination of high-quality wool and silk. A knot density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre places it within a fine Täbris quality grade. The silk is also associated with the sheen described as characteristic of Täbris rugs. The condition of this rug is stated as excellent.

Its origin in Täbris, East Azerbaijan, gives these technical and material qualities a clear regional identity. The rug brings together an established Persian weaving tradition, a fine Raj classification and a traditional Persian design. No particular signature, border arrangement or named individual motif is specified, so none is added here.

FAQ

What distinguishes a Täbris rug from other Persian rugs?

A Täbris rug is identified by its origin in Täbris, East Azerbaijan, and by the long weaving tradition developed there. Characteristics commonly associated with Täbris include fine knotting, Raj as a quality classification and the use of silk. In this piece, the 50-Raj grade, a knot density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre, and wool and silk occur together. Silk can produce the characteristic Täbris sheen. The design tradition is also broad, including floral compositions and geometric forms. The distinction is therefore not one mandatory motif, but the combination of origin, hand-knotting, technical density, material and regional design practice.

Does my Täbris rug require special care?

Regular care helps preserve the appearance and durability of a Täbris rug. Vacuuming and occasional beating are recommended as basic measures. Since this rug is hand-knotted and made from wool and silk, it should be treated carefully and in a way suited to both fibres. Professional cleaning is recommended to help maintain the colours and structure. The different properties of wool and silk should be taken into account during cleaning. Silk is associated with a characteristic sheen, so gentle treatment is particularly important. A professional rug cleaner can assess the appropriate method for the particular construction and handle the combination of materials correctly.

Can I use a Täbris rug outdoors?

Outdoor use is not recommended for Täbris rugs. Exposure to weather conditions can affect their quality and colour. This hand-knotted rug made from wool and silk should therefore be placed in a protected interior. Indoor placement keeps it away from moisture, changing temperatures and other external stresses. The recommendation applies whether the rug is used in a living room, office or exhibition space. A sheltered setting supports the preservation of its materials, pattern effect and the documented sheen of the silk.