Persian Hamadan

Hamadan rugs – made in the towns and villages surrounding the city – vary greatly, from quality to knot density to pattern. Finer examples include the Hosseinabad or Nahawand, while the less precious are simply referred to, collectively, as Hamadan. Dominant colours are madder reds, indigo blues and whites, with secondary colours of gold and yellow ochre, and the rugs are often based on geometric medallion and corner schemes, Herati (the most common) and Boteh or all-over florals. These medium-clipped wool pile rugs are generally woven on a cotton warp with one weft. High quality carpets called Shahr-baff (Shahr meaning city, baff meaning knot) were once manufactured in Hamadan city, but they are difficult to source today. These carpets were made with shiny, naturally dyed, hand-spun yarn, offering both durability and beauty, and those manufactured before 1920 were often tied on a wool warp.