Persian Rug Tabriz 145 x 96 cm Silk Hand-knotted

Tabriz Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug from Tabriz is hand-knotted and made from high-quality wool and silk. The combination of these two materials is part of the broad material tradition associated with Tabriz weaving. Wool is valued in rug making for its resilient structure and tactile surface. Silk contributes a finer character and a distinct way of catching the light. Used together, the materials can create varied surface effects within a carefully constructed hand-knotted textile.

Hand-knotting builds the rug knot by knot on a prepared foundation. Each row is formed by hand and secured with weft threads, requiring consistent and attentive workmanship. The short description gives a knot density of 400,000 knots per square metre and identifies it as 40-Raj. The source title also describes the rug as 50-Raj. Both source details are retained separately here rather than being reconciled or altered.

Wool and silk require different approaches during production. Wool provides body and a durable feel, while silk is appreciated for its smoothness and its ability to define fine lines and reflect light. These general properties explain why the two materials are often discussed in connection with finely detailed Tabriz rugs. For this particular rug, the supplied information confirms high-quality wool and silk, but does not specify their exact distribution or provide a separate foundation-material description.

Origin and Tradition

The rug comes from Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan. The city is one of the important centres of Persian rug production. Its history as a place of trade and cultural exchange helped support a varied weaving tradition. Tabriz workshops have produced rugs in many qualities, formats and visual languages, so the name refers to a regional craft tradition rather than to one single fixed design.

Tabriz rugs are often discussed in relation to the fineness of their knotting. Raj is a traditional classification associated with knot density and the fineness of a rug. In general usage, a higher Raj designation indicates more closely set, smaller knots, while a lower designation describes a less fine construction. Such terminology belongs to the established vocabulary of the trade and helps describe how densely a rug has been made.

The Tabriz tradition includes a wide range of materials. Wool has long been used for practical, durable rugs, while silk is chosen for its refined surface, gentle sheen and suitability for detailed work. In some Tabriz examples, silk appears especially in the field; other examples may also have a silk foundation. The source for this rug states that wool and silk are used, but does not identify the position of either material or say that the foundation is silk.

The historical character of Tabriz weaving is expressed through variety rather than through one mandatory pattern. Workshops are known for floral and geometric approaches, arranging regional traditions into carefully structured compositions. The craft remains rooted in hand production even as rugs are made for changing interiors and uses. Tabriz therefore represents both an established Persian weaving centre and a flexible design tradition capable of supporting many different interpretations.

The designation Persian rug places this piece within the Iranian rug-producing tradition. The specific origin supplied for it is Tabriz in East Azerbaijan. Other well-known rug names may also be associated with Persian weaving, but they are not interchangeable with this place of origin. The regional attribution of this rug remains Tabriz.

Design and Pattern

Tabriz rugs are known for a wide range of floral and geometric designs. Floral compositions may include blossoms, scrolling foliage, rosettes or finely divided arabesques. Geometric designs may rely on axes, repeated compartments, measured outlines or a clear arrangement of planes. The design of an individual rug must be described from its own documented features. Since the source does not provide a specific pattern for this rug, no particular field arrangement, border design or motif is assigned to it here.

In the design language of Tabriz rugs, the field and border often provide the basic framework for the composition. The field carries the main visual structure, while borders define the edges and give the design a sense of enclosure. Floral arrangements can depend on delicate transitions between stems, leaves and blossoms. Geometric arrangements can gain their character from repetition, balance and controlled spacing. Fine knotting generally supports the clear rendering of such details, although it does not by itself identify the design of one undocumented example.

Wool and silk can affect how a pattern is perceived. Wool tends to give a surface a quieter, fuller appearance, while silk can respond more actively to changing light. In traditional rugs, this difference may be used to contrast subdued and lustrous passages. The supplied details confirm the presence of wool and silk in this rug, but do not state where either material occurs within the design. Specific claims about colours, highlights or individual motifs would therefore go beyond the documented description.

The pattern tradition of Tabriz is connected with the cultural history of East Azerbaijan. Weavers draw on inherited floral and geometric vocabularies and develop them into different workshop compositions. Some designs are organised around a central arrangement; others depend on repeated movement across the field. The fineness of the knotting can help represent small forms with precision. These are general features of the regional tradition, not a description of a pattern that the source has not named for this rug.

Other oriental rug traditions provide useful points of comparison. Ersari rugs are often associated with strong colours and geometric patterns, while Nain rugs are known for fine details and the use of wool and silk. Kashan and Isfahan also represent distinct traditions of skilled rug making and individual design vocabularies. These references describe other regional or stylistic contexts; they do not alter the documented origin of this particular rug, which is Tabriz.

Special Features

The documented features of this piece are its hand-knotted construction, its use of high-quality wool and silk, and its very good condition. The short description records a knot density of 400,000 knots per square metre and identifies it as 40-Raj. At the same time, the source title labels the rug 50-Raj. Both statements are presented without changing one into the other. No separate information is supplied about the foundation, the precise placement of the materials, a signature, an age or a restoration.

The combination of hand workmanship and wool and silk places the rug within the varied craft tradition of Tabriz. Very good condition is a statement about this individual piece. No further special provenance, maker attribution or historical dating is documented, so none is added to the description.

FAQ

How can I recognise a high-quality Tabriz rug?

Fineness of knotting and the quality of the materials are among the points commonly considered when assessing Tabriz rugs. Raj is a traditional term connected with knot density and the fineness of construction. Wool and silk are materials used in high-quality Tabriz weaving. For this rug, the supplied information specifies high-quality wool and silk and a density of 400,000 knots per square metre; the source title additionally uses the designation 50-Raj.

Where can I buy a Persian rug from Tabriz?

Persian rugs from Tabriz can be found at specialist rug dealers and on online platforms. A careful purchase should include clear information about origin, materials, technique and condition, together with dependable terms from the seller. A transparent return policy can provide additional reassurance. For this piece, the documented details identify Tabriz in East Azerbaijan as the origin and state that it is hand-knotted, made of wool and silk, and in very good condition.

How should I care for a Tabriz rug?

Vacuum a Tabriz rug regularly and gently so that dust does not remain embedded in the surface. When deeper cleaning is needed, a professional cleaner should handle the rug with the properties of wool and silk in mind. Prolonged direct sunlight should be avoided because it can gradually fade colours. Gentle everyday handling and appropriate professional cleaning help preserve the surface and the workmanship of a hand-knotted rug.