Persian Rug Tabriz 88 x 58 cm Wool-Silk Hand-knotted

Tabriz Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug from Tabriz is hand-knotted and made from a blend of wool and silk. Combining these fibres is part of the established vocabulary of Persian rug making. Wool gives the pile a substantial textile structure, while silk can contribute a smoother surface and a finer play of light. A wool-and-silk blend should not be described as an all-silk rug. It brings together the different qualities of both fibres within one woven and knotted textile.

The rug is listed with a knot density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre and is identified as 50-Raj. In Tabriz rug terminology, Raj is commonly used to describe fineness of knotting. A higher Raj value generally indicates knots placed more closely together. A dense construction allows the weaver to render narrow lines, controlled outlines and small decorative passages with greater definition.

Hand-knotting means that individual knots are tied by hand into the foundation. The rug develops row by row as the knotting, weft and foundation work together. This method gives the piece its own sequence of knots and colour placements rather than producing an identical industrial repeat. The supplied condition is very good.

Origin and Tradition

Tabriz, known as Täbris in German, is located in East Azerbaijan and is one of the important centres of Persian rug production. The city lies in north-western Iran and has long served as a place of trade, culture and skilled manufacture. Its position encouraged the movement of designs, fibres and technical knowledge. Tabriz rugs therefore represent a broad regional tradition rather than one single fixed pattern.

Rug making in Tabriz has traditionally been sustained by workshops and family-based production, where drawing conventions and practical knowledge are passed from one generation to the next. Making a rug involves several coordinated stages. A design is prepared, the warp is established, and wefts and knots form the textile structure. The weaver follows the intended drawing while building up the pile, then the surface is trimmed so that the pattern can be read clearly. Each stage affects the balance between structure, colour and definition.

Fineness is an important part of how Persian rugs are discussed. Tabriz rugs are often classified using Raj, a term associated with the closeness and fineness of the knotting. It does not describe the rug’s physical dimensions. In general, a higher Raj value allows more detail to be represented within a given area because the individual knots are smaller and more numerous. The 50-Raj designation recorded for this rug places its construction within that fine Tabriz classification.

Tabriz did not develop apart from the other Persian weaving regions. Isfahan is widely associated with balanced compositions, symmetrical motifs and refined execution. Kashan is often recognised for saturated colour and dense floral drawing. Nain frequently combines pale grounds with carefully worked wool and silk elements. Qom has a strong reputation for silk rugs and intricate designs. These neighbouring traditions help explain the variety within Persian weaving, but they do not change this rug’s stated origin in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan.

Persian rugs have traditionally served both practical and representational purposes. Their significance comes from the meeting of a usable textile, a regional craft tradition and a carefully transmitted design language. Training, fibre selection, dyeing, drawing and knotting all contribute to the finished object. In a Tabriz rug, precise workmanship and a clearly organised composition are commonly valued together. The regional name identifies the place and tradition behind the piece, while the material and Raj classification describe aspects of its construction.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this rug is described as a traditional Persian design. That wording places it within the established visual language of Persian carpet making without assigning an unsupported individual motif. It does not specify a particular medallion, border arrangement or palette. For that reason, the rug is not given a more narrowly defined pattern name. The description identifies its design tradition while leaving out details that have not been recorded for this individual piece.

Tabriz design traditions include compositions organised around a central medallion as well as all-over arrangements of vines, flowers and leaves. A medallion can structure the field and create a strong axis, while an uninterrupted floral layout can give the surface a continuous rhythm. Geometric devices may be combined with botanical forms to establish balance and direction. Which of these possibilities appears on one particular rug must be determined from the actual drawing; the product information establishes only its traditional Persian design.

Floral ornament has a major place in Persian carpet design. Curving vines can link blossoms, palmette-like forms can provide accents, and leaves can fill the transitions between larger elements. Geometric shapes may reinforce symmetry, divide the field or frame a border. Fine knotting gives the weaver more individual points with which to construct small curves and changes of outline. It supports detailed drawing, although knot density alone does not identify a single pattern.

Borders are another important component of many Tabriz compositions. A main border can separate the field from the outer edge and may be accompanied by narrower guard borders. Repeated flowers, vines or geometric signs create a measured rhythm around the centre. In a well-organised Persian design, the border and field are related through repeated colours, forms or directional lines. This relationship helps the eye move across the composition without requiring the border to copy the central pattern.

The silk in a wool-and-silk blend can give selected areas a different surface response from wool. Silk reflects light more smoothly and may make a line or small accent appear sharper when it is incorporated into the design. This does not mean that the rug is made entirely of silk. It means that two fibres with different tactile and visual qualities are brought together in one hand-knotted structure. The effect depends on how the fibres are used, the colours chosen and the drawing of the individual design.

Colour in Persian rugs also helps organise the pattern. Strong contrasts can make a central form or border legible, while related shades can soften transitions between adjoining ornaments. Tabriz traditions are associated with a wide range of colour approaches, from vivid reds and blues to quieter earth tones. The individual colours of this rug have not been itemised. What is recorded is its traditional Persian design, which places the piece within that broader visual tradition without adding unverified colour details.

Special Features

The recorded features of this rug are its Tabriz origin in East Azerbaijan, its 50-Raj classification, hand-knotting and wool-and-silk construction. Its knot density is given as up to 500,000 knots per square metre. Together, these details describe both the regional identity and the technical character of the piece. They also distinguish its fibre composition from an all-wool or all-silk construction.

The condition is described as very good. This is an overall condition statement and does not claim the presence or absence of a particular repair, mark or area of wear. The rug is also a compact rectangular piece. Its recorded size belongs to the description of this individual object, while origin, material and technique explain its place within the Tabriz rug tradition.

Every hand-knotted rug contains its own sequence of knots, colour changes and small decisions made during production. Even rugs made in the same region and under the same quality classification are not mechanically identical. Here, Tabriz identifies the regional tradition, 50-Raj identifies the stated fineness, and wool with silk identifies the fibre blend. Those distinctions allow the rug to be described precisely without assigning it a pattern or provenance that has not been documented.

FAQ

What are the main features of a Tabriz Persian rug?

A Tabriz Persian rug comes from the Tabriz region of East Azerbaijan and belongs to the Persian weaving tradition of north-western Iran. Tabriz production is associated with carefully organised designs and often fine hand-knotting. Regional designs may combine floral and geometric elements, medallions, vines and structured borders, although an individual rug must be described from its own pattern. Raj is commonly used to discuss knotting fineness. This piece is identified as 50-Raj and has a density of up to 500,000 knots per square metre. Its listed material is a blend of wool and silk.

How should I care for my Tabriz Persian rug?

Regular, gentle vacuuming can remove loose dust from the pile. Avoid aggressive brushing or repeated rubbing, especially where silk fibres are present. If a spill occurs, blot it promptly with a clean, slightly damp cloth rather than spreading the liquid across the surface or soaking the rug. For deeper cleaning, professional rug washing at suitable intervals is advisable. A specialist can take the fibre blend, pile and hand-knotted foundation into account. Strong household cleaners and improvised treatments may affect colour or fibre structure and should not be used without expert advice.

Where can I buy an authentic Tabriz Persian rug?

Authentic Tabriz Persian rugs can be found through specialist rug dealers and at fairs devoted to oriental rugs. A careful purchase should include a clear statement of origin, the fibres used and the hand-knotted technique. Certificates may support information about provenance and material quality. It is also important to distinguish a pattern name from an origin: a design reference describes the visual language, whereas Tabriz identifies the regional source in this case. A knowledgeable dealer can explain the Raj classification, wool-and-silk blend, condition and construction together so that the description of the individual rug remains accurate.